Abstract
This article presents physical and mechanical properties of concrete composites that include waste thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) from the production process of car floor mats. Waste elastomer (2–8 mm fraction) was used as a substitute for fine aggregate in quantities of 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10% of the cement weight. For all series of concrete, the following tests were carried out: compression strength, bending tensile strength, splitting tensile strength, absorbability, density, resistance to water penetration under pressure, frost resistance, and abrasion resistance, according to applicable standards. Moreover, SEM/EDS analysis was carried out on the surface microstructure of synthesized concrete composites. It was proven that the use of production waste from the production process of car floor mats in the quantity of 2.5% does not influence the change of the concrete microstructure and it does not result in the decrease of the mechanical parameters of concrete modified with waste. All concrete modified with the addition of waste meet standards requirements after carrying out 15 cycles of freezing and thawing, and the average decrease in compression strength did not exceed 20%. Adding waste in the quantity of 2.5% allows for limiting the use of aggregate by about 5%, which is beneficial for the natural environment.
Highlights
Concrete, which is a composite material with a cement matrix, is commonly used in the construction industry
The following concrete was used for the tests: Portland cement CEM I 42.5R (Cemex, Rudniki, Poland), which meets the requirements of standard PN-EN 197-1, sand, gravel aggregate with 2–8 mm and 8–16 mm fractions, water, additives of CHRYSTO Plast 331, and CHRYSTO Air LB, as well as waste thermoplastic elastomers from the production process of car floor mats at the production company
For concrete mixtures modified with the waste thermoplastic elastomer (S1-1–S1-4), the slump was between 50 and 75 mm, which corresponds to the S2 consistency class (Table 3)
Summary
Concrete, which is a composite material with a cement matrix, is commonly used in the construction industry. One of the most tested materials in terms of waste use for the said purpose is polyethylene terephthalate (PET) used as aggregate [12,13,14,15,16] or fiber [17,18,19]. Recyclate obtained from PET waste has been used in concrete as the substitute for aggregate or in the form of fiber as reinforcement. The manner of PET recyclate preparation and its form have a large impact on the parameters of manufactured concrete
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
