Physical and mechanical properties of locally fabricated geopolymer-plastic ceiling boards

Abstract

The 21st century has seen a rise in the demand for building materials, which is not unconnected to the rise in population. The high demand has led to an increase in the price of such commodities as well as a strain on environmental resources and the call for more sustainable, and cost-effective alternatives to replace the conventional materials. In this study, waste glass powder was alkali-activated to produce geopolymer, which was combined with both fine and coarse waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) pulverized plastics (aggregates). The product was then cured to form the ceiling board. The impact of the employed glass, alkaline solution, aggregate size, and aggregate content in the boards were then investigated. Board J with 92.5% PET particles (Coarse and Fine) and 7.5% Glass Particles gave the best water absorption (16.561%), thickness swelling (3.332%) and density test (0.918 g/cm3) results. It was found that the geopolymer with equal proportions of fine and coarse PET aggregates reduced the material's ability to absorb water and increased its density and swelling thickness. The modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity of the boards were both enhanced by adding more glass powder and fine PET aggregates. However, it was discovered that the board's mechanical qualities, unlike its physical properties, were not improved by the addition of the geopolymer during manufacture.

Keywords

• Environmental sustainability
• Geopolymerization
• Polyethylene terephthalate
• Building material
• Waste management
• Construction material