Abstract:
Several research studies related to the construction sector look forward for the utilization
of waste as promising construction materials. This trend has instanced by the depleting
natural aggregates and increasing their demand. Therefore, this research aims to introduce
a navel composite material for roofing tile, based on Fly Ash (FA), Sand, Tile Waste
(TW) and chemically unmodified Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) waste plastic.
Initially, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) phase analysis and moisture content analysis have
conducted for the collected samples. Sample blocks with different combinations under
three different samples series have prepared by using 7.0 cm ×5.0 cm ×1.5 cm size mold.
All the raw materials were thoroughly mixed with molten PET and added to mold.
Physio-mechanical characteristics were conducted by Water Absorption (WA) test and
Compressive Strength (CS) test. Prior to the composite preparation moisture content of
each raw material has analyzed and maintain below 7%. XRD analysis of sand, TW and
FA have confirmed the major phase is crystalline silica. WA of each composite was
compared with the clay roofing tile specimen which has the WA of 10.68%. However, all
the prepared composites have the WA below 1% since each having 35% PET. Further,
variation of the sand amount has the high impact of WA, since it is increased when sand
content increased above 30%. CS analysis has shown that the minimum CS, 17.0 MPa of
the composite is higher than the CS, 15.3 MPa of reference clay roof tile. Further, in each
series, if the raw material content is increased more than 22.5%, CS was decreased.
Therefore, to achieve low WA and high CS, the amount of Sand, FA and TW should be
equal or below 22.5 %. Hence, all the combinations are complied with aforesaid weight
ratios are suitable for the rooftile production but utilizing the composition with lower sand
amount will be more cost effective thus both fly and tile waste are rejected waste
materials.
Keywords: PET plastic, Composite material, Compressive strength, Water absorption
