Utilización de poliestireno expandido como agregado de construcción en el material yeso

Abstract

The objective of this research is to study the addition of recycled expanded polystyrene to food containers, packaging, and packaging in the determination of the physical and mechanical behaviour of laminated gypsum boards. Five mixtures with the following percentages of 0 / 0.5 / 1 / 1.5 were studied. Also, 2% by weight of expanded polystyrene (EPS) granules. To identify the type of polymer used, properties such as density, FT-IR spectroscopy, resistance to bending, traction and compression were determined. Also, to analyse the use and benefit of this new type of material, the product was characterized using bending tests, deformation under load, surface hardness, apparent density, and scanning electron microscopy. The results show that the greater the amount of expanded polystyrene there is lower density, also when placing a certain amount of EPS the bond between gypsum particles is weakened, affecting the resistance capacity. However, an adequate proportion presented good results of flexural strength and surface hardness. Scanning electron microscopy shows the material's ability to generate polluting nanoparticles in the environment. In conclusion, EPS in quantities of 0.5% provides better characteristics to the material than other proportions since it does not create a porosity between particles. Likewise, the polymer provides its isotropy capacity to gypsum boards showing similar characteristics at all points of its structure. The study of plastic fibres as aggregates in building materials is recommended as a source of long-term recycling.