Studies on Chemical Resistance of PET-Mortar Composites: Microstructure and Phase Composition Changes

Ahmed Soufiane Benosman, Mohamed Mouli, Hamed Taibi, Mohamed Belbachir, Yassine Senhadji, Ilies Bahlouli, David Houivet

Department of Civil Engineering, Laboratory of Materials, ENSET, Oran, Algeria.
Faculty of Science, Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry, University of Oran, Es-Senia, Algeria.
Faculty of Science, Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry, University of Oran, Es-Senia, Algeria Department of Civil Engineering, Laboratory of Materials, ENSET, Oran, Algeria Department of Chemistry, Preparatory School of Science and Technology EPST, Tlemcen, Algeria.
University of Caen Basse-Normandie, Laboratory of LUSAC EA 2607, Cherbourg Octeville, France.

DOI: 10.4236/eng.2013.54049                

Abstract

Researches into new and innovative uses of waste plastic materials are continuously advancing. These research efforts try to match society’s need for safe and economic disposal of waste materials. The use of recycled plastic aggregates saves natural resources and dumping spaces, and helps to maintain a clean environment. The present articles deals with the resistance to chemical attack of polymer-mortars, which are often used as low-cost promising materials for preventing or repairing various reinforced concrete structures. To gain more knowledge on the efficiency of polymer-mortar composites, four mortar mixtures: one specimen with Portland cement and three mixtures with 2.5, 5, and 7.5 wt% of the substitution of cement by polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were exposed to the influence of aggressive environment (0.5%, 1% and 1.5% HCl acids, 10% NH₄Cl, 5% H₂SO₄ acid and 10% (NH₄)₂SO₄ solutions). The measurements of several properties were carried out, the results were analyzed and the combination of X-ray diffraction, FT-IR spectroscopy, differential thermal analysis (DTA), thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis and the composites were also observed by SEM led to the positive identification of the deterioration products’ formation. From this study, it was found that the addition of PET to the modified mortars, means reducing the penetration of aggressive agents. So, the PET-modified mortars exposed to aggressive environments showed better resistance to chemical attack. The new composites appear to offer an attractive low-cost material with consistent properties. The present study highlights the capabilities of the different methods for the analysis of composites and opened new way for the recycling of PET in polymer-mortars.

Keywords

Composite; Polymer-Mortar; PET Waste; Acids; NH4Cl Attack; Ammonium-Sulfate Attack; Microstructure

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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