Development of a Cost-Effective End-Use Application for Thermoset Composite Wastes as Reinforcement for Polymer Concrete Materials

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2013

Authors

Maria Cristina Ribeiro (Author) FEUP; Ana Castro (Author) FEUP; J. P. Meixedo (Author) FEUP; Maria De Lurdes Dinis (Adapter) FEUP; António Fiúza (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Resources, Conservation and Recycling

ISSN: 0921-3449

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

Scopus

Scientific classification

FOS: Engineering and technology > Environmental biotechnology

CORDIS: Technological sciences > Engineering

Other information

DOI: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2013.10.001

Abstract (EN): Glass fibre-reinforced plastics (GFRP), nowadays commonly used in the construction, transportation and automobile sectors, have been considered inherently difficult to recycle due to both the cross-linked nature of thermoset resins, which cannot be remoulded, and the complex composition of the composite itself, which includes glass fibres, polymer matrix and different types of inorganic fillers. Hence, to date, most of the thermoset based GFRP waste is being incinerated or landfilled leading to negative environmental impacts and additional costs to producers and suppliers. With an increasing awareness of environmental matters and the subsequent desire to save resources, recycling would convert an expensive waste disposal into a profitable reusable material. In this study, the effect of the incorporation of mechanically recycled GFRP pultrusion wastes on flexural and compressive behaviour of polyester polymer mortars (PM) was assessed. For this purpose, different contents of GFRP recyclates (0%, 4%, 8% and 12%, w/w), with distinct size grades (coarse fibrous mixture and fine powdered mixture), were incorporated into polyester PM as sand aggregates and filler replacements. The effect of the incorporation of a silane coupling agent was also assessed. Experimental results revealed that GFRP waste filled polymer mortars show improved mechanical behaviour over unmodified polyester based mortars, thus indicating the feasibility of GFRP waste reuse as raw material in concrete-polymer composites.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific