An Assessment of the Compressive Strength of Glass Reinforced Plastic Waste Filled Concrete for Potential Applications in Construction

Efforts were made to recycle Glass reinforced plastic (GRP) waste powder in concrete products and assess its compressive strength to comply with British Standards for use in construction applications. More than 90 GRP waste-filled concrete specimens were developed using the concentration of 5%, 15%, 30% and 50% (w/w). The findings revealed that the increase in concentration of GRP waste decreased the compressive strength. However, increase in curing duration resulted in improving the compressive strength of concrete. The findings of this work pave the way for further GRP waste recycling in precast construction products for use in various applications

Resource efficiency impact on marble waste recycling towards sustainable green construction materials

India is one of the biggest marble producing country in the world (∼10%). State of Rajasthan has nearly 85% of marble production capacity. Recently, the massive quantity of marble waste fine particulates generated in marble industry has become a major environmental hazard issue. Major minerals present in marble waste are calcite (CaCO3) and dolomite (CaMg (CO3)2). The particle sizes of marble waste particulates has been found to be 200 μm (D90). The chemical composition of marble wastes reveals oxides of calcium (CaO), silica (SiO2), alumina (Al2O3) and alkaline oxides (Na2O, K2O). Apart from that, iron oxide, mica, fluorine, chlorite and organic matter have also been noticed. Marble waste has been explored for possible utilization in industries, thereby it helps in preventing the environmental problems such as dumping and pollution. This article addresses the efficiency of marble wastes for materials development, leading to create some sustainable green composite materials for construction applications

Towards sustainable micro and nano composites from fly ash and natural fibers for multifunctional applications

Manufacturing of petroleum based synthetic materials, exploitation of timber products from forest reserves, improper management of industrial wastes and natural resources greatly persuade the environmental contaminations and global warming. To find viable solutions and reduce such alarming issues, innovative research work on recycling of unutilized materials such as fly ash and natural cellulosic polymers has been reported in this work to develop advanced sustainable hybrid micro/nano composites. In this study, the use of natural cellulosic sisal fibers with fly ash has enhanced the tensile properties and surface finish of composites. Fly ash particulates acted as fillers, additives, as well as surface-finishing medium and sisal fibers as reinforcing elements in achieving glossy finish sustainable composites. The developed composites have been found to be stronger than wood, plastics and have many opportunities for multifunctional applications

Synthesis and characterization of new class of geopolymer hybrid composite materials from industrial wastes

Geopolymer belongs to a new class of emerging materials for a number of applications owing to the advantages such as low cost; higher compressive strength; improved fire & acid resistance as well as reduced greenhouse gas emission. In this work, we explore the effective utilization of marble waste as a reactive filler and binder for the development of fly ash based geopolymer hybrid composite materials using extrusion process. The effect of marble waste content on the physico–chemical and mechanical characteristics of prepared hybrid materials was studied through various characterization techniques. The geopolymerization was conducted at two different molarities of sodium hydroxide in which the effects of materials properties were studied. The results indicate that the materials prepared at higher molarity exhibits better performance in terms of compressive strength (4.61–6.52 MPa) (2–4M). The silicon dioxide present in fly ash reacts with calcium hydroxide present in marble waste forming calcium silicate hydrate network and possibly contributes to the increment in the interfacial bonding in marble waste infiltrated geopolymer matrix. Overall, this improved interfacial adhesion yielded an increase in compressive strength and bulk density but also decreased the water absorption of the developed material. The results of this study not only indicate an effective utilization of marble waste for the production of geopolymer hybrid composite materials via an eco–friendly route but also provide an economical and sustainable route for management of marble waste currently generated in various countries of the world

Manufacturing and characterization of sustainable hybrid composites using sisal and hemp fibres as reinforcement of poly (lactic acid) via injection moulding

Natural polymers based composites offers significant advantages over synthetic fibre reinforced petroleum matrix based composites with regard to biodegradability, biocompatibility, design flexibility and sustainability. This work reports for the first time manufacturing of hybrid fibre reinforced biodegradable composites using sisal and hemp fibre with polylactic acid employing melt processing and injection moulding techniques. Granulated sisal and hemp fibres were blended and hybrid composites were manufactured using aliphatic polyester made up of lactic acid (PLA) through extrusion and injection moulding and their performance was evaluated. Experimental results revealed that density, elongation at break and water absorption capacity of hybrid composites were 1.14 ± 0.07 g/cm3, 0.93 ± 0.35% and 1.06 ± 0.18% respectively. The achieved mean tensile strength (46.25 ± 6.75 MPa), Young’s modulus (6.1 ± 0.58 GPa) and specific tensile strength (38.86 ± 5.0) of hybrid fibre reinforced PLA composites were improved compared to neat PLA. The flexural strength (94.83 ± 11.21 MPa), flexural modulus (6.04 ± 0.55 GPA) and specific flexural strength (79.76 ± 8.80) of hybrid fibre composites also showed better performance than those of neat PLA. Incorporation of sisal and hemp fibre with polylactide remarkably increased the impact strength of composites. Overall, the hybrid composites demonstrated good performance suggesting that they have great potential for use as an environmentally friendly alternative material in automotive, packaging, electronics, interiors and agricultural applications

Thermal Power Plant Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) Gypsum Waste Particulates Reinforced Injection Molded Flexible Composites

Low density, thermally insulative and moisture resistant flexible polymer composites were developed using Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) gypsum waste particulates with Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) under injection molding technique without any additive or filler modification. The moisture content, particle size, specific gravity, density, pH, electrical conductivity and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis of FGD gypsum waste particulates were evaluated together with mineralogical, morphological and elemental analysis by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (FESEM-EDS) studies. Developed composites were tested for Density, Water absorption, thermal conductivity and mechanical strength. Density of FGD-LDPE composites varied from 0.91±0.01 to 1.33±0.01 g/cm3 with different concentrations of FGD gypsum filler (10–70 weight %). The water absorption showed 0.69±0.04% for maximum (70 weight %) filler concentration and the corresponding thermal conductivity was found to be minimum (0.3964 W/m/K). The composites were very flexible and exhibited lower tensile strength (6.17±0.05 to 7.15±0.09 MPa), flexural strength (11.25±0.14 MPa) and impact strength (22.70±1.57 KJ/m2) with 50% and 10% filler content. Findings of these results have showed a new path for making flexible composites potentially having applications in sports ground, staircase and instrumentation rooms as a thermal insulation flooring material using FGD waste particulates generated from thermal power plants

Thermal Power Plant Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) Gypsum Waste Particulates Reinforced Injection Molded Flexible Composites

612-616Low density, thermally insulative and moisture resistant flexible polymer composites were developed using Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) gypsum waste particulates with Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) under injection molding technique without any additive or filler modification. The moisture content, particle size, specific gravity, density, pH, electrical conductivity and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis of FGD gypsum waste particulates were evaluated together with mineralogical, morphological and elemental analysis by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (FESEM-EDS) studies. Developed composites were tested for Density, Water absorption, thermal conductivity and mechanical strength. Density of FGD-LDPE composites varied from 0.91±0.01 to 1.33±0.01 g/cm3 with different concentrations of FGD gypsum filler (10–70 weight %). The water absorption showed 0.69±0.04% for maximum (70 weight %) filler concentration and the corresponding thermal conductivity was found to be minimum (0.3964 W/m/K). The composites were very flexible and exhibited lower tensile strength (6.17±0.05 to 7.15±0.09 MPa), flexural strength (11.25±0.14 MPa) and impact strength (22.70±1.57 KJ/m2) with 50% and 10% filler content. Findings of these results have showed a new path for making flexible composites potentially having applications in sports ground, staircase and instrumentation rooms as a thermal insulation flooring material using FGD waste particulates generated from thermal power plants