Physical and mechanical performance of cement tiles produced with incorporation of polyethylene terephthalate residue

Abstract

A large amount of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) waste is generated annually due to the use of this polymer in the manufacture of packaging and bottles. Studies indicate the feasibility of using this residue as an input for the production of mortars, focusing on sustainability. This work demonstrated the technical feasibility under the physical, mechanical, and thermal aspects of the incorporation of natural sand aggregate by PET waste flakes in mortar mixtures for cementitious tiles (CT) manufacture. The following methodological steps were carried out: dosage study, preparation of specimens with mortar with replacement of natural sand by PET residue in percentages of 0, 5, 10, and 15%; evaluation of the physical and mechanical properties of the mixtures and definition of the percentage of PET incorporation; production and evaluation of the reference and PET CTs. The blend with 15% PET incorporation was selected to manufacture the CTs given the adequate flexural strength and porosity. PET did not interfere in the CT’s visual, geometric, physical, and mechanical properties, attending to the standard requirements. The PET is technically feasible to be incorporated into cement matrices for the production of CTs, avoiding their destination in illegal areas and landfills, contributing to urban sustainability.