Characterization of Fresh and Cured Properties of Polymer Concretes Based on Two Metallurgical Wastes

Abstract

Polyester polymer concretes can substitute conventional concretes based on their usually good mechanical strength, adequate physical properties, and high resistance against aggressive chemical environments. They also show a high potential for using recycled targets in their manufacturing. This paper analyzes the fresh and cured properties of polyester polymer concretes containing two metallurgical wastes, namely: ladle slag and alumina filler. Both targets require a higher resin dosage than sand. The standard consistency test showed a low representativeness of the recycled fresh mixes’ workability. The ladle slag and alumina filler samples showed a higher length plastic shrinkage than those containing sand. All of the targets obtained cured density values in the range of 1.589–1.912 g/cm3. From a mechanical point of view, the sand and alumina filler containing polyester polymer concretes reached 11.02 and 10.93 kN, respectively, of flexural strength, while the ladle slag samples showed the best result with 19.31 kN. In the compressive strength test, the sand and alumina filler combinations reached 106.16 and 104.21 MPa, respectively, while the ladle slag achieved 160.48 MPa. The flexural and compressive elasticity modulus showed similar trends related to the resin content.

Pro-ecological possibilities of using metallurgical waste in the production of aggregates

“…Metallurgical waste (slags) can also be used for the production of polyester-polymer concretes that can replace conventional concretes (Seco, 2020) and as an input filling concrete instead of natural gravel (Baricova, 2011). Research was also conducted on the use of metallurgical waste as a sand substitute for cement production, a positive effect on the initial setting time and the release of heat of hydration was noted (Alwaeli, 2020).…”