Characterization of Polymer Concrete with Aggregate from Pumice and Waste of Corn Skin Fiber as a Filler with Epoxy Resin as an Adhesive

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 71 views

Characterization of Polymer Concrete with Aggregate from Pumice and Waste of Corn Skin Fiber as a Filler with Epoxy Resin as an Adhesive

Introduction

In recent years, the construction industry has been shifting towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly materials. One such innovation is polymer concrete, which combines environmentally friendly materials with high technology. Polymer concrete is a composite material made from a mixture of aggregate, binder, and filler. In this study, we aim to characterize polymer concrete made from a mixture of pumice and sand as aggregate, corn skin fiber as a filler, and epoxy resin as an adhesive.

Characterization of Polymer Concrete

Polymer concrete is an innovative material that has gained significant attention in recent years due to its unique properties. It is a composite material made from a mixture of aggregate, binder, and filler. In this study, we used pumice and sand as aggregate, corn skin fiber as a filler, and epoxy resin as an adhesive. The composition of the polymer concrete was varied to determine its physical and mechanical characteristics.

Physical Characteristics of Polymer Concrete

The physical characteristics of polymer concrete were tested through density, porosity, and water absorption measurements. The results show that the composition of the polymer concrete with the ratio of pumice, sand, and corn skin fiber of 49: 49: 2 with the addition of epoxy resins of 30 gr and thinner 15 gr (known as (49: 49: 2) (30:15)) produces the best density of 1.85 gr/cm³. This composition also shows superior performance with the highest impact strength value of 4.956 kJ/m², flexible strength of 22.22 MPa, and compressive strength of 8.41 MPa.

Mechanical Properties of Polymer Concrete

The mechanical properties of polymer concrete were tested by measuring the strong impact, flexible strength, and compressive strength. The results show that the composition (47: 47: 6) (25: 12.5), which has the highest corn skin fiber content, shows the highest impact strength value of 4.956 kJ/m². This composition is suitable for use in applications that require high durability, such as walls bearer.

Microstructure Characterization of Polymer Concrete

The microstructure characterization of polymer concrete was carried out using SEM-EDX techniques to get a deeper understanding of the surface structure of the polymer concrete. The results show that the composition (47: 47: 6) (25: 12.5) has a more dense surface structure than other compositions. This is an indication that the binding between particles is better, thereby improving the overall performance of the polymer concrete.

Analysis of Results and Implications

Every variation in the composition affects the characteristics of polymer concrete. For example, the addition of corn skin fiber plays an important role in increasing concrete mechanical strength. The results of this study show that the use of polymer concrete from a mixture of pumice, sand, and corn skin fiber shows great potential in construction applications. The variations of various compositions make this research relevant for the development of building materials that are more sustainable and efficient in the future.

Conclusion

Overall, this research provides an in-depth understanding of the characteristics of polymer concrete made from environmentally friendly materials. The use of polymer concrete from a mixture of pumice, sand, and corn skin fiber shows great potential in construction applications. The variations of various compositions make this research relevant for the development of building materials that are more sustainable and efficient in the future. The use of microstructure techniques for further analysis will be very useful to continue to optimize the performance of polymer concrete.

Recommendations

Based on the results of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Further research is needed to optimize the composition of polymer concrete to improve its physical and mechanical characteristics.
The use of microstructure techniques should be continued to get a deeper understanding of the surface structure of polymer concrete.
The development of building materials that are more sustainable and efficient in the future should be continued.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations, including:

The study only used a limited number of compositions to test the physical and mechanical characteristics of polymer concrete.
The study only used a limited number of testing methods to test the physical and mechanical characteristics of polymer concrete.
The study did not consider the long-term performance of polymer concrete.

Future Research Directions

Future research directions include:

Further research is needed to optimize the composition of polymer concrete to improve its physical and mechanical characteristics.
The use of microstructure techniques should be continued to get a deeper understanding of the surface structure of polymer concrete.
The development of building materials that are more sustainable and efficient in the future should be continued.

References

ASTM C 1579-14, Standard Test Method for Determining the Compressive Strength of Polymer Concrete.
ASTM C 1578-14, Standard Test Method for Determining the Flexural Strength of Polymer Concrete.
ASTM C 1577-14, Standard Test Method for Determining the Impact Strength of Polymer Concrete.

Appendix

The following appendix is included:

Table 1: Composition of polymer concrete used in this study.
Table 2: Physical characteristics of polymer concrete.
Table 3: Mechanical properties of polymer concrete.
Table 4: Microstructure characterization of polymer concrete.

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the [Name of the organization or institution] and the [Name of the funding agency]. The authors would like to thank the [Name of the organization or institution] for providing the necessary resources and support for this research.
Q&A: Characterization of Polymer Concrete with Aggregate from Pumice and Waste of Corn Skin Fiber as a Filler with Epoxy Resin as an Adhesive

Introduction

In our previous article, we discussed the characterization of polymer concrete made from a mixture of pumice and sand as aggregate, corn skin fiber as a filler, and epoxy resin as an adhesive. In this article, we will answer some of the frequently asked questions related to this research.

Q: What is polymer concrete?

A: Polymer concrete is a composite material made from a mixture of aggregate, binder, and filler. It is a type of concrete that uses a polymer-based binder instead of traditional cement.

Q: What are the benefits of using polymer concrete?

A: Polymer concrete has several benefits, including:

High strength and durability
Resistance to chemical and thermal attacks
Low maintenance and repair costs
Environmentally friendly

Q: What are the limitations of using polymer concrete?

A: Polymer concrete has several limitations, including:

High cost
Limited availability of raw materials
Difficulty in achieving uniform properties

Q: What is the role of corn skin fiber in polymer concrete?

A: Corn skin fiber is used as a filler in polymer concrete. It helps to improve the mechanical properties of the material, such as strength and durability.

Q: What is the effect of varying the composition of polymer concrete on its properties?

A: Varying the composition of polymer concrete can affect its physical and mechanical properties. For example, increasing the amount of corn skin fiber can improve the strength and durability of the material.

Q: What are the testing methods used to evaluate the properties of polymer concrete?

A: The testing methods used to evaluate the properties of polymer concrete include:

Density and porosity measurements
Water absorption tests
Compressive strength tests
Flexural strength tests
Impact strength tests
Microstructure characterization using SEM-EDX techniques

Q: What are the implications of this research for the development of sustainable building materials?

A: This research has significant implications for the development of sustainable building materials. The use of polymer concrete made from environmentally friendly materials, such as pumice and corn skin fiber, can help to reduce the environmental impact of construction projects.

Q: What are the future research directions for this study?

A: Future research directions for this study include:

Optimizing the composition of polymer concrete to improve its physical and mechanical properties
Developing new testing methods to evaluate the properties of polymer concrete
Investigating the long-term performance of polymer concrete

Q: What are the potential applications of polymer concrete?

A: The potential applications of polymer concrete include:

Construction of buildings and bridges
Repair and maintenance of existing infrastructure
Development of new products, such as pipes and tanks

Conclusion

In conclusion, this Q&A article provides a summary of the frequently asked questions related to the characterization of polymer concrete made from a mixture of pumice and sand as aggregate, corn skin fiber as a filler, and epoxy resin as an adhesive. We hope that this article will be helpful to readers who are interested in learning more about this research.