Microstructural analysis of plastic waste composite construction materials

The study explored the use of plastic waste in construction materials to address the global increase in plastic waste. Post-consumer and post-industrial plastics high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), and polyethylene terephthalate (PETE) were processed and combined with fine and coarse aggregates to create polymer composite construction materials (PCCM). Essential physical properties like compressive strength, flexural strength, and split tensile strength were assessed. HDPE composites consistently demonstrated superior mechanical properties, especially with fine aggregate. Microstructural analyses using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX) revealed that composites containing nano-plastics possess a compact and uniform structure, enhancing their durability and strength. Incorporating nano-plastics led to a notable 25% increase in compressive strength compared to control samples. In conclusion, integrating demolition waste into construction composites offers sustainable solutions to enhance performance and address plastic waste management challenges in construction.