Composite Soil Made of Rubber Fibers from Waste Tires, Blended Sugar Cane Molasses, and Kaolin Clay

The use of different chemical and biological admixtures to improve the ground conditions has been a common practice in geotechnical engineering for decades. The use of waste material in these mixtures has received increasing attention in the recent years. This investigation evaluates the effects of using recycled tire polymer fibers (RTPF) and sugar molasses mixed with kaolin clay on the engineering properties of the soil. RTPF were obtained from a tire recycling company, while the molasses were extracted from a sugar cane manufacturer, both located in Colombia. RTPF is a waste and therefore its utilization is the first positive impact of this research, a green solution for this byproduct. Treated kaolin clay is widely used in many industrial processes, such as concrete, paper, paint, and traditional ceramics. The characterization was conducted with scanning electron microscopy, compression strength, particle-size distribution, x-ray diffraction, compressive and density tests. The results showed that the unconfined compressive strength improved from about 1.42 MPa for unstabilized samples, to 2.04 MPa for samples with 0.1 wt% of fibers, and 2.0 wt% molasses with respect to the dry weight of the soil. Furthermore, it was observed that soil microorganisms developed in some of the samples due to the organic nature of the molasses

Composite Soil Made of Rubber Fibers from Waste Tires, Blended Sugar Cane Molasses, and Kaolin Clay

The use of different chemical and biological admixtures to improve the ground conditions has been a common practice in geotechnical engineering for decades. The use of waste material in these mixtures has received increasing attention in the recent years. This investigation evaluates the effects of using recycled tire polymer fibers (RTPF) and sugar molasses mixed with kaolin clay on the engineering properties of the soil. RTPF were obtained from a tire recycling company, while the molasses were extracted from a sugar cane manufacturer, both located in Colombia. RTPF is a waste and therefore its utilization is the first positive impact of this research, a green solution for this byproduct. Treated kaolin clay is widely used in many industrial processes, such as concrete, paper, paint, and traditional ceramics. The characterization was conducted with scanning electron microscopy, compression strength, particle-size distribution, x-ray diffraction, compressive and density tests. The results showed that the unconfined compressive strength improved from about 1.42 MPa for unstabilized samples, to 2.04 MPa for samples with 0.1 wt% of fibers, and 2.0 wt% molasses with respect to the dry weight of the soil. Furthermore, it was observed that soil microorganisms developed in some of the samples due to the organic nature of the molasses

Comparative analysis of the technological properties of natural and agglomerated stones in epoxy matrix

Brazil occupies a prominent position among the countries that produce the most ornamental stones in the world, with emphasis on the state of Espírito Santo. However, despite this success in production, the sector faces a considerable challenge in relation to waste generation. The objective of this study was to produce and evaluate the technological properties of an agglomerated stone using 87 wt% waste from the processing of Branco Fortaleza stone in a matrix with 13 wt% epoxy resin, using the vacuum vibro-thermo-compression process. The waste was characterized by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The stones were subjected to evaluation of density, apparent porosity, water absorption, abrasion resistance test, staining, chemical attack, 3-point flexural strength and microstructural analysis (SEM). The results showed a density of 2.26 ± 0.02 g/cm3, water absorption of 0.24 ± 0.01%, apparent porosity of 0.55 ± 0.03%, abrasion resistance test of 1.38 mm and flexural strength of 30.13 ± 1.74 MPa. The results compared with the literature reveal a material with technical feasibility to be used as a coating in the construction sector, presenting high mechanical resistance, good interfacial adhesion, application on high traffic floors, as well as environments subject to liquid penetration such as sinks, floors and countertops. Using this waste to manufacturing new materials, such as agglomerated stones, can not only help reduce dependence on raw materials, but also play an important role in minimizing the environmental impact associated with the extraction and processing of natural stones

Reinforcement of polyester with renewable ramie fibers

© 2017 Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos. All rights reserved. Ramie (Boehmeria nivea) fiber is one of several lignocellulosic fibers with superior strength, but the least investigated, particularly as reinforcement in strong, tough polymeric composites. This paper presents mechanical properties for polyester reinforced with aligned ramie fibers up to 30% by volume. It was found that adding 30 vol% of ramie fibers increases the flexural strength of polyester about three times (212 ± 12 MPa vs. 63 ± 7 MPa) and tensile strength by a factor of two (89 ± 9 MPa vs. 53 ± 3 MPa). Polyester-ramie fiber composites also displayed a significant improvement in toughness. The impact energy values, as measured by Charpy and Izod impact tests, increased nearly two orders of magnitude for 30 vol% ramie fiber composite as compared to neat polyester. Additionally, fractographic studies revealed reasonable wetting of fibers by the polyester resin, and FTIR analysis confirmed a hydrophilic nature of ramie fibers. In spite of weak adhesion between hydrophilic fibers and hydrophobic matrix, composites of improved strength and toughness were demonstrated in this study. Limited fiber-matrix adhesion was reflected in preferential longitudinal propagation of cracks along the fiber/polyester interfaces, indicating also that most of the fracture area is associated with the fiber surface