INFLUENCE OF POLYMERIC PARTICLES IN COATING MORTARS
Cementitious mortars, Polymer residues (PP/PE), Fine aggregate replacement, Mechanical and physical Properties, Circular economy.
Post-recycling polymeric waste has increasingly been identified as an important element in environmental preservation. This work proposes the development and evaluation of the technical feasibility and environmental potential of incorporating postrecycling polymeric waste as a partial replacement for fine aggregate in cementitious mortars. The fine residue, from industrial recycling stages, was characterized by FTIRATR (identifying predominantly PP and PE) and by particle size analysis. Four compositions were produced: reference (S0) and mixtures with 2.5% (S2.5%), 5% (S5), and 10% (S10) volumetric replacement. To isolate the effect of the waste on performance, the consistency was standardized at 260 ± 5 mm, through combined
adjustments of water and plasticizing additive. Increasing additive demand was observed with increasing polymer content, evidence of rheological changes due to low surface energy, and the particle shape effect. In the hardened state, apparent density, water absorption/void ratio, flexural tensile strength, and compressive strength were evaluated at 7 and 28 days. Density decreased with substitution (S0: 1.76 g/cm³; S10: 1.45 g/cm³), demonstrating potential for lightening. Absorption increased at intermediate levels and returned to values close to the reference at 10% (at 7 days, S0=2.49% and S10=2.65%; at 28 days, S0=2.77% and S10=2.87%), suggesting void redistribution and lower capillary connectivity in S10. In flexural strength at 7 days, S2.5 showed a slight gain (7.81 to 8.12 MPa); at 28 days, the performances remained comparable. In compression, a reduction was observed with increasing grade, more pronounced at early ages and partially mitigated at 28 days, attributed to the lower modulus of the polymer and the hydrophobic interface. It is concluded that it is technically feasible to maintain the target workability, achieve lightness, and preserve mechanical integrity for non-structural uses. Due to the balance between reduced mass and strength, S2.5 stands out as the best-performing trait.