Chemical, mechanical and thermal properties of mortar composites containing waste PET
Résumé
The main objective of this study was to investigate the potential utilization of polyethylene terephthalate PET waste in
cementitious matrix, as substituent to cement, to develop lightweight construction materials and for preventing chemical attacks
or repairing various reinforced concrete structures. Composites containing different amounts of PET particles, as partial
replacement to cement by weight, were characterized by destructive and non-destructive testing. So, the thermal conductivity,
ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) and sorptivity coefficients of composite made up of mixtures of PET polymer were measured;
the adverse environmental conditions are simulated by using various acid solutions. The corrosion process was monitored by
measuring the mass loss and compressive strength for different periods. The experimental investigation revealed that the addition
of PET particles reduces the UPV; furthermore, thermal conductivity and sorptivity of the composites have been decreased. So,
the decrease of the sorptivity-value is favorable to the durability of the specimen structures. On behalf of the resistance to
aggressive environments, it was found that the course of action of acid attack is dependent on the type of acid and solubility of
the calcium salt formed. The presence of PET was found to lower the detrimental effect of acids on composite. Scanning electron
microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction and FT-IR analyses were used to better understand the cement hydration products of the
deteriorated mortars. In this way, the obtained PET-mortar composites would appear to be low-cost materials which would
contribute to resolving some of the solid waste problems in addition to conserving energy.