Polymer-cementitious composites containing recycled rubber particles

Waste from scrap tires is one of the most environmentally harmful waste since it leads to significant soil and air pollution. This work investigates the effect of recycled rubber particles incorporation into cementitious composites modified with epoxy polymer. A Design of Experiment (DoE) was conducted to identify the effect of epoxy polymer inclusion (35 and 50 wt%), rubber inclusion (10, 15 and 20 wt%) and rubber particle size (coarse and fine particles) factors on the bulk density, mechanical strength and stiffness of the composites. Third-order interaction effects were obtained, except for density which was affected by two second-order interactions. Larger epoxy polymer and rubber amounts decreased the bulk density of the composites. Epoxy polymer contributes to cement hydration, even without water content. Higher incorporation of coarse rubber particles leads to reduced mechanical performance. In general, lower amounts of epoxy polymer and finer rubber aggregates provide superior mechanical strength and modulus. The use of epoxy polymer also enhances the adhesion between cement and rubber aggregates. This rubber polymer-cementitious composite achieved promising results, being a feasible alternative to reuse end-of-life rubber tyres into structural applications.