Study of the use of polymeric waste as reinforcement for extruded fiber-cement.

The disposal of post-consumption tires and plastics has become a significant environmental concern. New routes for recycling and using polymeric waste are needed since current treatment and disposal options do not reach the production of these materials. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of the use of tire and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste at different amounts on the physical, mechanical, thermal, and durability properties of extruded fiber-cement. Portland cement was replaced with 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5% by weight of polymeric waste from tire and PET. The fiber-cement was evaluated at 28 curing days and after accelerated aging, for density, water absorption, porosity, modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, proportionality limit, tenacity, and thermal conductivity properties. Tire and PET waste could be used as reinforcement material in fiber-cement, allowing for not only the correct destination and development of more sustainable new products but also the improvement of physical, mechanical, thermal, and durability properties of extruded fiber-cement.

Study of new reinforcing materials for cementitious panel production.

The development of building materials using new types of raw materials is currently on demand by society and the industry. It is intended to reduce production costs, improve properties and obtain ever-increasingly sustainable processes and products. In this respect, this work aimed to evaluate the effect of new types of reinforcement material on the physical-mechanical and thermal properties of cement-based panels. Cement-based panels reinforced with pine wood, coffee husk waste, rice husk and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were evaluated. The panels were produced with 1.30 g.cm-3nominal density; 1:2.5 reinforcement material: cement ratio; 1:1.5 water:cement ratio; 0.25 cement hydration rate using Portland ARI V cement and 3% calcium chloride (CaCl2) as additive. The panels' physical, mechanical and thermal properties were evaluated before and after accelerated aging. PET bottle wastes showed great potential for use in cement-based panel production, obtaining the best physical and mechanical results, and showing superior performance to pine wood panels. Cement-based panels reinforced with coffee husk and rice husk waste obtained lower physical-mechanical performance, presenting usage limitations, however, with the lowest values of thermal conductivity.