Synthesis and characterization of concrete mortars reinforced with thermostable polymer from industrial waste

Abstract

The present research is focused on synthesizing and physically characterization different mixtures of concrete mortar reinforced with thermostable polymers from industrial waste. The mortars were made from the homogeneous mixture of cement, gravel, and water with additions of polyepoxide in different percentages. This polymer carried a milling process to obtain particle sizes of 1, 2 and 3mm. The mixtures were emptied in cubic bronze molds (5cm side) without vibrating compaction and allowed to stand for 24 hours before being removed. Ten mortars were prepared by mixture and they were cured in water for 28 days at room temperature before being characterized. Subsequently, the weight, compression strength and thermal conductivity of the samples were measured. The best results were for the mortars with additions of 100% polyepoxide (without gravel) and 3mm particle size, with a compression strength of 76.6kgcm-2 (higher than that required in mortars, 70kgcm-2), a thermal conductivity of 0.68Wm-1K-1 (59.93% less than conventional mortar, 1.70Wm-1K-1) and a weight of 141g (33.80% lower than the traditional mortar, 213g). According to the results obtained, a reliable alternative is presented to reuse waste material in the construction industry, replacing gravel by polyepoxide polymer particles in the process of manufacturing masonry elements providing the final product with the characteristics of lightness, thermal insulation, and acceptable compression strength, through simple, economical and sustainable processes.
Keywords: mortar, thermostable polymer, industrial waste, thermal conductivity, compression strength.