Abstract
This research focused on using ground tire rubber (GTR) with different grain sizes as a replacement for the mineral aggregates used in a cement-based mixture suitable for extrusion-based Additive Manufacturing. The use of two types of GTR particles and the possibility to apply rubberized mixtures in advanced manufacturing technologies are the innovative aspects of this work. At the base of this strategy is the possibility of achieving cementitious aggregates, which would potentially be improved regarding some technological-engineering requirements (lightness, thermal-acoustic insulation, energy dissipation capacity, durability) and environmentally sustainable. The integration of waste tires into cement-based materials is a promising solution for the reuse and recycling of such industrial waste. In addition, this approach may involve a considerable reduction in the use of natural resources (sand, water, coarse mineral aggregates) needed for the building materials production. The purpose of the research was to investigate the effect of sand-GTR replacement on certain chemical-physical properties of mixtures (permeable porosity, surface wetness, and water sorptivity), closely related to material durability. Besides, the role of rubber on the printability properties of the fresh material was evaluated. GTR fillers do not alter the rheological properties of the cement material, which was properly extruded with better print quality than the reference mixture. Concerning chemical-physical characterization, the GTR powder-granules synergy promotes good compaction of the mixture, hinders the cracks propagation in the cement matrix, decreases the permeable porosity, improves the surface hydrophobicity and preserves optimal water permeability.
Highlights
Thanks to the development of Additive Manufacturing (AM) in the construction sector, concrete technology has considerably advanced in engineering, architectural and environmental terms
The presence of ground tire rubber (GTR) fillers, replacing the mineral aggregate, preserves suitable printability properties of the fresh compounds, which were extruded without interruptions or collapse phenomena
This paper examines the usage of two types of GTR fillers as substitutes for fine mineral aggregates in a cement-based mixture suitable for AM
Summary
Thanks to the development of Additive Manufacturing (AM) in the construction sector, concrete technology has considerably advanced in engineering, architectural and environmental terms. The main benefits of additive processes, compared to standard manufacturing, are summarized in the following aspects: higher fabrication speed, lower waste materials production, ease of prototyping and high freedom in terms of the design of shapes [1]. The combination of digital fabrication and cement-based materials promoted the development of innovative manufacturing processes for both small-scale production (building components, urban furnishings) and large-scale fabrication (infrastructures, housing modules). A detailed overview of additive technologies with building materials is reported in [2]. The deposition apparatus is very similar to the common Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) printers for polymers: the cement-based material is Recycling 2020, 5, 11; doi:10.3390/recycling5020011 www.mdpi.com/journal/recycling
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