Physico-mechanical properties of ecofriendly bricks using recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) wastes as binders.
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Date
2024
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Publisher
Faculty of Engineering and Technology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
Abstract
Soil-cement bricks in Nigeria are preferred for building due to environmental, technical, and economic
benefits, while reinforced polymer composites are increasingly popular for their lightweight construction and
biodegradability. However, the composition of Portland cement still generates environmental impacts due to CO2
emissions. Thus, this study aimed to produce eco-friendly bricks through a mixture of river sand, recycled polyethene
terephthalate (PET) and low-density polyethene (LDPE) wastes that were shredded and melted as binders for the
aggregates to create bricks in various ratios (1:1, 1:2, 1:3) and hybrid of PET and LDPE ratio (1:1:2 and 1:1:4). The
bricks were then air-dried and cured to solidify and bricks were evaluated using compressive strength, flexural
strength, water absorption, and density measurements. The river sand sample chemical analysis revealed the sand
belong to Alumino-Silicate as values for percentage clay contents. The water absorption for recycled binder was within
the permissible limit between 0.4%-1.5%. Similarly, the use of both recycles PET and LDPE as a binder with river
sand in ratios such as (1:1:2) enhanced the stiffness strength with mean values of 3.6 N/mm2 and 13.4%, while recycled
PET as the binder in a ratio (1:3) only significantly improves compressive strength with mean values of 13.6 N/mm2
demonstrating adequate bonding and mechanical robustness.