Innovative Use of Single-Use Face Mask Fibers for the Production of a Sustainable Cement Mortar

Abstract

Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, biomedical waste management has overwhelmed both developed and developing nations. It is now a critical issue that has to be addressed with minimal possible adverse impact on the environment. This study introduced a technique of recycling face masks into polypropylene fibers for use in concrete. This proposed recycling process provides complete disinfection of contaminated clinical waste and offers the opportunity to transform the characteristics of an end product. Microfibers manufactured from recycled medical masks were subjected to testing. According to the results, polypropylene is the primary component of this research program. Two batches of concrete were made, one with the inclusion of masks as polypropylene fibers and another that performed as a control mix. The modified mortar was compared to the control mix in split tensile, flexure, compressive strength, and water absorption. Compressive strength was found to be improved by about 17%, and tensile strength to be increased by around 22% when mask fibers were incorporated. This research introduced a novel approach for disposing of waste masks and established the preliminary viability of upcycling trash face masks towards mortar concrete production.

Microstructure and Water Retention Kinetics in Autogenous Cured Self-Compacting Concrete Blends Using Super Absorbent Polymer

“…In the mixtures, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% of the cement content was replaced by granite pulver by mass with the addition of 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%, 0.5%, 0.6%, 0.8%, and 1.0% of super absorbent polymers by volume fraction. Lija et al [ 34 ], Deepankarkumar et al [ 35 ], and Karmegam and Kalidass [ 36 , 37 ] emphasized the importance of particle packing and specific gravity in determining the mix proportion.…”

Mehaničko recikliranje jednokratnih zaštitnih maski

“…Various studies conducted between 2020 and the present have proposed methods for recycling and reusing DPMs. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] The primary goal is to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Four potential recycling methods have been identified: 13 primary recycling (re-extrusion) an easy process capable of converting plastic waste into quality products; secondary recycling where the plastic waste is transformed into a new product by mechanical recycling involving segregation, purification, shredding, chopping, and granulation; tertiary recycling as a chemical process that converts a large macromolecule into a smaller molecule by depolymerisation employing heat, chemical agents, and catalysts; and quaternary recycling where energy is recovered from the waste plastic by incineration.…”

“…5 Recycled face masks have also been used in the production of a sustainable cement mortar. 14 Regardless of the chosen recycling method, Torres et al 4 emphasised the need to disinfect the used masks before introducing them into the recycling stream, which would definitely increase reprocessing costs. The financial advantages of recycling plastics are significant and cannot be disregarded.…”

Performance Analysis of Self-Compacting Concrete with Use of Artificial Aggregate and Partial Replacement of Cement by Fly Ash

“…SCC is capable of completely filling the most challenging forms or molds [14,15]. The utilization of SCC at a construction site provides an inherent assurance of consistent placement and the complete consolidation of the concrete [16][17][18][19][20]. The presence of SCC is likely to result in enhanced durability due to the reduced occurrence of air voids and other imperfections [21,22].…”