Characterization of polymeric waste for use in replacing mineral fine aggregate in coating mortars
Mortar, polymeric waste, material characterization.
The generation of waste is a widely discussed issue today, with various possibilities for reuse. The reutilization of waste is being considered as a way to minimize the impacts caused by the large amount of waste generated nowadays. The use of plastic waste in mortar production is one such alternative. In this context, this study aims to evaluate the use of polymeric waste from the recycling industry, which is not usable in its current form as it consists of small particles that would be discarded in landfills. The polymeric waste was characterized through analyses such as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Mortar mixes for coating applications were produced with varying percentages (10%, 15%, and 20%) of substitution of mineral aggregate with polymeric waste. The results indicated a decrease in compressive strength with the use of polymeric waste, and consistency also decreased linearly with the increasing addition of waste. However, the material maintained mechanical properties suitable for coating applications. The utilization of polymeric industrial waste in the production of new construction materials has the potential to contribute to environmental impact reduction by decreasing the consumption of natural resources and reducing the amount of polluting materials.