Mechano-chemical upcycling of pultruded composite waste for reuse in concrete mixture

ABSTRACT

Effectively managing waste from pultruded composite materials is a pressing concern within the composites industry, given their composition of thermosetting resins. Currently, much of this waste ends up in landfills or is incinerated, despite the considerable environmental repercussions. Thus, repurposing pultruded waste for construction purposes not only enhances environmental sustainability but also provides a dependable source of construction materials. In M30 grade concrete structures, composite structures such as pavement slabs can be engineered with superior split tensile strength compared to existing alternatives, while still meeting required compressive strength specifications outlined in the mix design, by substituting fine waste (FW) for fine aggregate (filler) at a rate of ≥ 2.5wt%.

Keywords:
Composite; Thermoset plastic waste; Glass fibre; Concrete; Recycling