Plastic Tiles from Recycled Pet Bottles Wastes with Improved Strength and Reduced Flammability

摘要

The cost of construction materials and the required natural resources to produce the materials with the enabling environment is affecting the world's construction industry which is growing at an alarming rate. Also, plastic wastes have posed a major threat to the environment due to their large usage, non-biodegradability nature, and pollution through incineration and landfill. Recycling these wastes into tiles will be a great advantage. This study aims at examining mechanical properties of tile made from PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) wastes, fly ash, and river sand aggregate. The PET wastes of varying percentages of 100, 90, 70, 50, and 30 by weight to other aggregates. The evaluation of physical and mechanical properties shows that, in terms of material density, strength, and flammability resistance, the tiles with 30 of the plastic waste yields better results than other proportions of the waste. According to the results obtained, this composite tile has a very low porosity value (2.8- 0.11) compared to cement or ceramic tiles. Also, the composite tile (PFST1) with 30 and 35 sand and fly ash displayed lower flammability of 7.76mm/min linear burning rate and enhanced compressive strength of 11.10 MPa. The chemical tolerance of these composite tiles was also investigated by soaking in different acid, base, and alkaline for seven days, which has no significant difference in terms of weight and appearance. In conclusion, PET plastic tiles have good strength, decrease flammability, low water absorption, and eco-friendliness as tiles products. This prospect would not only minimize the cost of building products but will also act as a waste diversion to mitigate the environment caused by plastic waste disposal.