Sound-Absorbing and Thermal-Insulating Properties of Cement Composite Based on Recycled Rubber from Waste Tires

• Main Authors: Jakub Svoboda, Tomáš Dvorský, Vojtěch Václavík, Jakub Charvát, Kateřina Máčalová, Silvie Heviánková, Eva Janurová
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-03-01
• Series: Applied Sciences
• Subjects: waste tires; recycling; rubber; cement composites; acoustic properties; thermal properties
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/6/2725

This article describes an experimental study aimed at investigating the potential use of recycled rubber granulate from waste tires of fractions 0/1 and 1/3 mm in cement composites as a 100% replacement for natural aggregates. The use of waste in the development and production of new building materials represents an important aspect for the sustainability and protection of the environment. This article is focused on the sound-absorbing and thermal-insulating properties of experimental cement composites based on recycled rubber from waste tires. The article describes the grain characteristics of recycled rubber, sound absorption capacity, thermal conductivity and strength characteristics. The results of this research show that the total replacement of natural aggregate with recycled rubber in cement composites is possible. Replacing natural aggregate with recycled rubber has significantly improved the thermal and acoustic properties of the prepared cement composites, however, at the same time; there was also the expected decrease in the strength characteristics due to the elasticity of rubber.