Polymer Concrete from Marble Wastes and Recycled Poly(ethylene terephthalate)

Abstract

A polymer concrete (PC) was synthesized by mixing styrenated polyester (SP) and marble wastes as fillers. The unsaturated polyester (UP) used was prepared from the reaction of oligomers obtained from the depolymerization of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) soft drink bottles with maleic anhydride and adipic acid. The UP was then mixed with the styrene monomers at a ratio of 60: 40% by weight to obtain the SP used for the synthesis of the PC. The aim of this work is to study the suitability of the prepared PC to be used as polymer based building materials. Using marble and PET soft drink bottle wastes for the preparation of the PC affects the environment positively, by avoiding the accumulation of these wastes. Saving the raw materials of polymer and fillers for other applications is another economical advantage of preparing the PC from the recycled PET and marble waste. Mechanical integrity of the PC was studied as blocks prepared under different experimental conditions. Chemical resistance and water absorption were also followed to evaluate the durability of the products obtained. In addition, the flammability of the SP and the PC prepared was also studied. Based on the data obtained, it could be concluded that the PC under consideration has good chemical resistance for 20% Na2CO3, 10% Noah, tap water, ground water and sea water. Besides the acceptable chemical resistance, the prepared PC shows low apparent porosity, low water absorption, and small open pores.

Utilization of Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) in Engineering Materials: A Review

“…The PET bottles were ahead of the wastes with its high increasing speed of consumption. In few years ago, a lot of experimental studies were conducted on using waste PET bottles in concrete reinforcement [69]- [71]. Nowadays, construction engineers intend to utilize polymer concrete which is produced by partially replacing of cement binder with polymer resins.…”

Gamma Radiation as a Novel Technology for Development of New Generation Concrete

“…Nevertheless, high filler content is important from an economical point of view and if this is a recycled material comes from waste materials, as recycled PET form soft drink bottles and marble waste materials, the PC has acceptable physical properties, good mechanical integrity, enhanced chemical characterization, and providing better heat and flame resistance [Tawfik & Eskander, 2006].…”

Fresh, Mechanical and Absorption Characteristics of Self-Consolidating Concretes Including Low Volume Waste PET Granules

“…The present application of recycled PET waste in the construction industry includes its use as resin for polymer concrete [13][14][15][16][17] and as fiber for reinforced concrete [18]. The most economical way is using PET particles as a substitute of aggregates.…”