USE OF EPOXY RESINS IN CREATING POLYMER-CONCRETE COMPOSITES BASED ON SECONDARY POLYMER WASTE

Madaminov Nodirbek Zafarbek ugli

Authors

Madaminov Nodirbek Zafarbek ugli Assistant, Department of Materials Science, Andijan State Technical Institute, Andijan, Uzbekistan

Keywords:

polymer-concrete composite; epoxy resin; secondary polymer waste; recycled polypropylene; mechanical properties; compressive strength; water absorption; circular economy; sustainable construction materials; waste valorization.

Abstract

The growing accumulation of secondary polymer waste poses significant environmental and economic challenges for industrial regions. The use of recycled polymers — including polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) — as functional components in construction composites represents a promising direction for waste valorization. This study investigates the effect of epoxy resin (ED-20) as a binding matrix on the mechanical and physical properties of polymer-concrete composites incorporating 10–30 wt.% of secondary polymer fillers. Specimens were prepared via hot-mixing and cold-curing techniques, followed by mechanical testing in accordance with GOST standards. Results demonstrate that the optimal composite formulation containing 20 wt.% recycled PP granulate and 15 wt.% ED-20 epoxy binder achieved a compressive strength of 52.4 MPa — a 34% improvement over conventional cement-sand mortar — alongside a water absorption reduction of 61% and a density decrease of 12%. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed strong interfacial adhesion between epoxy matrix and polymer filler particles. The proposed composite formulations are economically viable, reducing raw material costs by 15–22% while supporting circular economy principles. These findings confirm the feasibility of implementing secondary polymer waste in epoxy-based polymer-concrete systems for flooring, chemical-resistant coatings, and structural repair applications.

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