[en] In recent years the increasing interest for eco-sustainable building materials and the rising issue of plastic waste disposal are leading to the engineering of new composite construction materials incorporating post consumer recycled plastics, able at the same time to meet new standard requirements, in terms of energy efficiency, and to reduce the consumption of natural resources. In the context of these issues, we have performed investigations on the effects of the addition of foamed artificial aggregates deriving from recycled plastic materials to a cementitious mortar. For this purpose, several mortar samples containing natural sand and different amounts (10, 25 and 50 % by volume) of foamed recycled plastic wastes were produced. The foaming of the recycled plastic waste was performed in laboratory by a foam extrusion process using a blowing agent (2 wt.%). An artificial aggregates particle size distribution similar to standard sand was used. Rheological and physical properties of lightweight mortar were studied. The improved surface roughness of foamed plastic aggregates ensures a more continuous interface and the presence of surface pores provides interlocking effect with cement paste. Replacement of natural sand by artificial aggregates produces a lightweight mortar but reduces mechanical properties.
Disciplines :
Chemical engineering Materials science & engineering Civil engineering
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