Viscoelastic and mechanical properties of repair epoxy mortar from modified poly(ethylene terephthalate) waste

Abstract

Abstract The idea of sustainable and circular use of difficult to decompose plastics is pursued to add value to other products. New epoxy mortars suitable for construction repair made from epoxy oligomer amine and modified PET waste hardeners mixed with sand were prepared. Three types of carboxyl terminated PET (CTPET) were used as co-hardeners together with an amine to prepare new combination linkage epoxy mortars. Investigation of the viscoelastic properties has shown that the CTPETs affect both the storage modulus at glassy state and the rubbery plateau, which refer to interfacial adhesion between the epoxy matrix and sand aggregates. In addition, the damping behavior and glassy temperature were increased with the addition of CTPET. Furthermore, the combination linkage of ester groups from the CTPET may contribute to the improvement of compressive strength and flexural strength of an epoxy mortar. The results of absorption and flexural change after immersion in solution and interfacial flexural bonding strength with ordinary cement-based material were also investigated.