The Mechanical Properties of Waste Tire Cords Reinforced Geopolymer Concretes

Abstract

The article aim is to determinate the possibilities of recycling the waste textile cord from used tires in geopolymer composites. The matrix was based on fly ash from power station located in city named Skawina (Poland) and fine sand in the ratio of 1:1. The process of activation was made by 10M sodium hydroxide solution combined with the sodium silicate solution. In order to manufacture the composites the additions of 5, 10, 20 and 30% of waste textile cord by volume were applied. The research methods used: microstructure research, density, flexural strength and compressive strength tests as well as analysis of breakthroughs. The results show the influence of addition of waste textile cord form used tires on the composite properties. The addition of textile fibres causes a reduction in the weight and density of the geopolymer. For samples with 20% fibre noticed the lowest density and the highest bending strength. The highest compressive strength was obtained for the geopolymer with 5% textile fibres.