In the last years, ecological concerns have resulted in the interest to substitute petroleum-based materials by renewable resources-based ones. Natural oils constitute an excellent alternative for the development of natural composites. The aim of this work is to evaluate the use of natural polymer, manufactured from castor oil, as substitute to synthetic, epoxy and polyester, in polymer mortars matrices, with particular regards to compressive, flexural and fracture properties. Mechanical properties of castor oil polymer mortars are similar to epoxy based ones and significantly higher than polyester polymer mortars with improved flexural properties and less brittle failure.
natural resins; polymer mortars; mechanical properties
