Characterization of Concrete Mixtures with Recycled Plastic Binder at the Micro Level Using SEM and EDS for Building Construction

Abstract Incorporating waste plastics in construction materials such as concrete mixtures is getting some attention for application in residential buildings and structures. Concrete is a complex material made of cement, water, aggregates, and additives. Therefore, successfully implementing another constituent, such as waste plastics, requires a thorough understanding of its interaction with other ingredients. This study endeavors to examine the impact of various types of plastics, including high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), and Polypropylene (PP), on the bond between plastic and aggregate, as well as the quality of plastic structure in the mixture using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) as the primary characterization method. One main goal of the study is to provide an opportunity for waste plastics to be used in concrete for application to building construction, including homes. To this end, concrete samples with different types of waste plastic were fabricated and then exposed to heat. The appropriate sample sizes were selected and prepared for SEM imaging. Image analysis software was deployed to analyze data collected from SEM imaging. Plastics and other particles can be characterized using SEM images to determine their bond, distribution, orientation, and surface morphology. To complement the observations from the SEM technique, the chemical composition of concrete mixtures was analyzed using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Analysis of the collected SEM and EDS data provides insights into the efficient selection of the plastic type to produce higher adhesion and uniformity among the plastic and aggregate particles and to lower the structural porosity. The research study offers an understanding of how specific plastic types can influence plastic concrete performance and behavior, which will provide valuable information for the concrete industry to optimize the waste plastic selection for plastic-based construction components for home building and other construction.