Effect of Perlite Waste Powder on Chemical Resistance of Polymer Concrete Composites

Abstract

The polymer concretes characterize with very high chemical resistance, achieved through the use of high-quality polymers and aggregates. The paper discusses the possibility of using the waste perlite powder, the very fine by-product of manufacturing and use of expanded perlite, as the component of polyester concrete (PC), in terms of the durability of concrete under chemical attack. Partial substitution of original microfiller (usually the quartz or calcium carbonate powders) of polymer concretes by the perlite powder is one of the potential ways of disposing this waste. In the paper the polyester concretes of various quantitative compositions, thus various waste perlite powder content, were exposed to the chemically aggressive environment. The compositions were designed on the basis of statistical design. The tested composites contained the unsaturated polyester used as the binder, the standard sand and crushed granite gravel of fraction 2-4 mm used as the basic aggregates and mix of quartz and perlite powders used as the microfiller. The specimens of concretes were exposed to the solution of potassium hydroxide of concentration of 5% for 60 days. The measure of polyester concrete resistance to potassium base were changes in mass and changes in the mechanical strength (flexural and compressive strength) of specimens subjected to chemical attack in comparison to specimens chemically unloaded. Additionally the visual inspection of the specimens outer surface and fracture surface after the flexural strength test were conducted.