Recovery of Industrial Wastes as Fillers in the Epoxy Thermosets for Building Application

Abstract

Epoxy resins are currently used in many areas of construction, such as resistant coatings, anchors, fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites, grouts, etc. This paper deals mainly with epoxy composites that can be applied during the rehabilitation of concrete constructions. The influence of a filler type on epoxy thermoset composites was monitored, whilst three different types of epoxy resin were used in order to achieve a better representation and confirmation of the results. During the testing of fillers, these were mainly secondary raw materials, including pre-treated hazardous waste (neutralisation sludge), representing various shapes and sizes of particle, while their amount in the epoxy matrix was chosen with regard to optimal viscosity and workability. Physical and mechanical parameters, like compressive and flexural strengths, cohesion with the concrete and thermal expansion of the epoxy composites containing various fillers were determined. The microstructure of epoxy composites with a different filler type and chemical resistance against chemical aggressive media were all monitored. The microstructure of epoxy composites was monitored using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) supported by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Computed tomography (CT) was also used for the evaluation of the cohesion of the epoxy composites with concrete and dispersion of the filler in the epoxy matrix.

Recent Advances in Development of Waste-Based Polymer Materials: A Review

“…The green nature of epoxy resins can also be enhanced by modifying them with fillers [150]. The results of recent research on epoxy resins modified with lignin [151], nanocellulose [152], hemp fibers [153], as well as industrial waste [154] indicated that this trend should develop in the near future.…”

Influence of Waste Filler on the Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Epoxy Mortar

“…This is probably due to a few factors, namely the highest filler presence, the larger filler grain size, which reduces the filler-matrix contact surface/filler volume ratio, and a different epoxy [21]. Previous research has reported different fillers and varied epoxy resin-to-filler ratios for various uses [22,23]. A thorough examination revealed that research had been conducted on the impacts of using steel slag, marble dust, and PVC waste along with natural sand as a filler in epoxy mortar [17][18][19]21].…”