Production of Cement-Less Composite Reinforced With Polyethylene for Mechanical and Civil Engineering Applications

Abstract

The accumulation of polyethylene (PE) and the production of cement from industrial activities causes environmental pollution, thus posing severe threats to the lives of human beings and other living creatures. This work, therefore, presents the results of both experimental and theoretical modeling of cement-less composite reinforced with recycled polyethylene for mechanical and civil engineering applications. The composites are produced with different weight percentages of laterite and PE, and homogeneously mixed to produce unique composites with outstanding mechanical properties. The composite with 40 wt.% laterite and 60 wt.% PE exhibited the highest compressive strength (~25 MPa), flexural strength (~7.3 MPa) and fracture toughness (~0.6 MPa√m). The SEM images reveal evidences of bonding and ligament bridging in the cement-less composite reinforced with 40 wt.% laterite and 60 wt.% PE. This study shows that the mixture of molten polyethylene fibers with laterite can be used as a sustainable material for the manufacturing of pavement and building blocks/bricks.