Physical-mechanical performance of reinforced gypsum composites with crushed multi-layer packaging

Abstract

The multilayer packages are used for a very short time generating a high discard volume. Because they are formed by different materials due to their several layers, their recycling is difficult. Therefore, new applications for these post-consumer packages are important, such as their reuse in composites. In this context, the objective of this work was to develop and characterize plaster based composites reinforced with crushed multilayer packages. The proportions used to incorporate reinforcements were 0%, 7.5%, 15%, 22.5% and 30%, replacing gypsum. Test specimens (three replicates per treatment) were produced to evaluate the properties of water absorption, moisture, apparent specific mass, compression and static bending, which were made with dimensions of 40 x 40 x 160 mm. For the thermal test, the dimensions were 200 x 200 x 20 mm. The added reinforcements led to an increase in moisture and water absorption, whereas, for apparent specific mass, flexural strength, compressive strength and stiffness in compression there was decrease. The incorporation of multilayer packages into plaster composites proved to be a viable alternative, since in addition to applying reverse logistics reusing these packages that are often discarded in the environment in an inadequate manner, generating several impacts, it also improved the thermal properties of the composites, their density decreased, all percentages complied with normalization for flexural strength, and for compression strength, only the 30% insertion did not meet the standards.