Recycling of glass fines and plastics in clay bricks at low temperatures

Abstract

This research study aims to develop a new blend of clay bricks using varying percentages of recycled glass fines and recycled plastics in masonry bricks at low curing temperatures. Alkaline-activated solutions used in this research study were sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate. Having tried various percentages of alkaline activators, the suitable amount of alkaline activator was set at 20%. Brick samples were placed in an oven at a heating temperature of 50°C for 24 h (to reduce the moisture content), followed by a temperature of 155°C for 48 h. Earlier findings demonstrated that the moisture curing for the sample was 50°C for 48 h, and the heating temperature increased to 155°C for 24 h. A series of laboratory tests on the brick samples such as compressive strength, water absorption, linear shrinkage and scanning electron microscopy characterisation were carried out in this study. The examined curing conditions were 7 and 28 days. The results from the experiment revealed that the relationship between water absorption and curing conditions satisfied the minimum requirement of masonry bricks using recycled glass fines and plastics.