Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Sustainable Composite Building Materials Produced by the Reprocessing of Low-Density Polyethylene, Biochar, Calcium Phosphate, and Phosphogypsum Wastes
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 34, Issue 2
Abstract
This paper presents the results of the experimental and analytical studies of the mechanical and thermal properties of laterite composites mixed with reprocessed low-density polyethylene waste (LDPE), calcium phosphate (CaP) and phosphogypsum wastes, and biochar to form brick composites. Bricks with mixtures of 20% by volume LDPE, 15% by volume CaP, and 15% by volume gypsum were shown to have excellent compressive strength, flexural strength, and fracture toughness. The composites with 1% by volume LDPE and 15% by volume biochar had the best blend of mechanical properties, such as flexural strength and fracture toughness, after sintering for . There was a linear association between the strength and the weight loss of the bricks. Scanning electron microscopy and optical microscopy images revealed evidence of crack bridging by LDPE particles. The laterite–LDPE composite mixed with 5%, 10%, and 15% by volume biochar had sintering temperatures of , , and , respectively, after undergoing softening, cold crystallization, and cooling.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful to Centre RAPSODEE, Ecole des Mines d’Albi, Albi, France and to Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts for their financial support.
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Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 34 • Issue 2 • February 2022
Copyright
© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jan 20, 2021
Accepted: May 7, 2021
Published online: Nov 30, 2021
Published in print: Feb 1, 2022
Discussion open until: Apr 30, 2022
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Cited by
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