Physico-Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Polymer Concrete with Recycled Glass Aggregate

• Main Authors: Bartosz Zegardło, Maciej Szeląg, Paweł Ogrodnik, Antoni Bombik
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2018-07-01
• Series: Materials
• Subjects: polymer concrete; glass waste; glass recycling; lighting elements
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/11/7/1213

The paper presents an analysis of the possibility of using glass waste from worn out lighting materials as an aggregate for a polymer concrete. Glass waste was obtained from the company utilizing glass lighting elements, which was then subjected to crushing. The aggregate obtained was subjected to the tests of basic features, which were compared with aggregates that are traditionally applied to concretes. The next stage of the research program was the production of a polymer concrete that contained glass aggregate. Several types of mixtures were prepared in which glass waste was combined in various proportions with traditional sand–gravel aggregate. As a part of the research, the basic physical and mechanical characteristics of polymer concretes were determined. The microstructure of composites was also analyzed using a scanning electron microscope. The results of the research have shown that the aggregate obtained from glass waste can be successfully used for the production of a polymer concrete. The most beneficial physico-mechanical properties were obtained for a composite in which glass waste was used as a 50% substitute for traditional aggregate.