This work deals with the properties of alternative mortars destined to strengthen metal sheets of sinks. The performance of these mortars was compared to that of a basic mortar made of cement, sand, and water, named standard mortar (SM). One of these mortars, named alternative mortar 2 (AM2), and composed of cement, textile residue, polyurethane, polypropylene fibers and water, was developed recently to replace the current one, named alternative mortar 1 (AM1), composed of cement, sand, polystyrene, polypropylene fibers and water. These mortars were manufactured and aged in a room in atmospheric environment for 7, 14, 28, 60 and 90 days, either with or without initial drying in a furnace. After cure of 90 days the flexion strength stress of the SM, AM1 and AM2 mortars was 5.21, 3.84, and 1.42 MPa, respectively. The SM and AM1 mortars were constituted of C-S-H phases, Ca(OH)2, SiO2, AFm and AFt (monossulphate/ettringite) phases. The AM2 mortar presented, apart from the compounds mentioned above, CaCO3. This compound is from the textile residue that is composed essentially of CaCO3 and Ca(OH)2. The reduction in flexion strength of AM1 mortar, compared to SM mortar, is caused by the polystyrene whereas the lowering mechanical strength of the AM2 is due to both polyurethane and textile residue. Even so, its mechanical strength is acceptable because the flexion strength stress required for the industrial application is 1.0 MPa.
mortar; industrial waste; sink; stainless steel
