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Physico-mechanical properties of ecofriendly bricks using recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) wastes as binders
Abstract
Soil-cement bricks in Nigeria are preferred for building due to environmental, technical, and economic benefits, while reinforced polymer composites are increasingly popular for their lightweight construction and biodegradability. However, the composition of Portland cement still generates environmental impacts due to CO2 emissions. Thus, this study aimed to produce eco-friendly bricks through a mixture of river sand, recycled polyethene terephthalate (PET) and low-density polyethene (LDPE) wastes that were shredded and melted as binders for the aggregates to create bricks in various ratios (1:1, 1:2, 1:3) and hybrid of PET and LDPE ratio (1:1:2 and 1:1:4). The bricks were then air-dried and cured to solidify and bricks were evaluated using compressive strength, flexural strength, water absorption, and density measurements. The river sand sample chemical analysis revealed the sand belong to Alumino-Silicate as values for percentage clay contents. The water absorption for recycled binder was within the permissible limit between 0.4%-1.5%. Similarly, the use of both recycles PET and LDPE as a binder with river sand in ratios such as (1:1:2) enhanced the stiffness strength with mean values of 3.6 N/mm2 and 13.4%, while recycled PET as the binder in a ratio (1:3) only significantly improves compressive strength with mean values of 13.6 N/mm2 demonstrating adequate bonding and mechanical robustness.
