The Potential Use of Waste Cement as a Filler in Polymer Composites

Abstract

Abstract This study explores the potential to use waste cement particles from ready-mixed concrete industry as a low cost filler in polypropylene. Its effects on mechanical and morphological properties were investigated in comparison with commercial cement and calcium carbonate. Mixing and shaping procedures of the polymer composites specimen were conducted by two-roll mill and injection molding, respectively. Next, the effect of filler loading (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 phr) and filler type on the mechanical and morphological properties of the polymer composites were studied. The results show that when filler loadings increased, the young’s modulus, flexural modulus, impact strength, and hardness of the polymer composites also increased accordingly, while the tensile strength and flexural strength decreased. Moreover, the results show that the waste cement had a greater effect on the enhanced mechanical properties compared to commercial cement and calcium carbonate. Furthermore, the polymer composites’ morphology was studied using scanning electron microscopy. A microstructure analysis was performed to verify and provide a better assessment of the performance properties of the polymer composites.