Behaviour of cement mortar containing Iron waste powder as substitute for sand

Abstract

The effect of replacing the fine aggregate (sand) with iron waste powder was studied. Four mixes of cement mortar with iron waste powder were prepared; two of these groups were prepared without adding SBR (Styrene-butadiene rubbers); while the others were prepared with SBR. These groups were allowed to cure for (7 and 28) days. Each of them consists of iron waste powder with 850μm as partial replacing of sand (10, 20, 30%) by weight. The results show an enhancement of strength for each group after measuring the compressive strength and flexural strength. Otherwise the properties (dry density, porosity and water absorption) were improved too. The best results of compressive strength and flexural strength were (32.66 Mpa, 5.0232 Mpa) at 20% without SBR and 30% with SBR, respectively. The lowest result of dry density were (2109.20 Kg/m3) at 10% with SBR, and the water absorption and porosity were (5.05%, 11.06%) at 20% with SBR. It was concluded that the iron waste powder can be utilized as partial replacer of sand with modifying the properties of cement mortar.