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Use of Molten Plastics in developing alternative building materials. Paper presented at the 20 th Institution of Engineers of Kenya Conference held at Tom Mboya Collage, Kisumu. 8 th -10 th May 2013 by Bernadette Sabuni.
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Use of Molten Plastics in developing alternative building materials Paper presented at the 20th Institution of Engineers of Kenya Conference held at Tom Mboya Collage, Kisumu. 8th -10th May 2013 by Bernadette Sabuni.
Use of Molten Plastics in developing alternative building materialsPaper presented at the 20thEngineers’ International Conference held at Tom MboyaLabour College -Kisumu.8th -10th May 2013 by Bernadette Sabuni.
1.0 Introduction • Plastic manufacturing is a multi-million dollar industry. However, disposal of these plastics after use pose environmental problems. • Plastics in different forms are found in all municipal solid waste. • It is a common sight in both urban and rural areas to find empty plastic bags and type of plastic packing material littering the environment • Due to its biodegradability it creates stagnation in water and associated hygiene problems
Introduction Cont. • It has been shown that plastics, when added to hot aggregate will form a fine coat of plastic over the aggregate thus improving conditions of bonding. • The composite material is found to have higher strength, higher resistance to water absorption and better performance over a period of time.
2.0 Materials • This research project sought to determine the properties of samples made using molten plastics and quarry dust. • Waste plastics were in the class of thermoplastics collected within the university environment. • Quarry dust was obtained from stock piles at the university construction site.
3.0 Method • Samples were made by casting of the molten plastic-quarry dust mix in cylindrical moulds obtained by cutting steel tube 150mm height and 105mm diameter. • The were then immersed in water for 24 hours before testing.
4.0 Results • As percent plastic increases, the density decreases proportionally. • Water absorption decreases non- linearly as the % of plastic increases. The decrease of water absorption with increase in plastic matrix may be attributed to the water repelling properties associated with plastics. • the strength increases gradually and then exponentially from the first plot up to a value of 10.50 N/mm², then decreases with further increase in plastic proportion
5.0 Conclusion • From the study it is evident that blocks made using waste plastic binder and quarry dust in an optimum mix proportion can meet the strength requirement for load bearing (>5.0 N/mm²) walls. • The resulting composite material has water repelling properties.
6.0 Recommendations • There is need to test the blocks at different temperatures to establish the behavior exhibited • Since blocks made from this material may not be joined using cement mortar an alternative approach is required e.g. the mortarlessinterlocking blocks • This concept can be improved to make it feasible in a factory setting for instance a hydram machine can be modified to make such blocks.
7.0 Challenges • Temperature regulation was very critical in this exercise not only to avoid complete combustion of plastics but also to allow mixing, placing and compaction of the samples. • It was noted that a temperature drop below the melting range could caused plastic set before moulding. • The fumes from melting plastic and the high operating temperatures posed a risk to health. • Also manual mixing posed difficulties in achieving consistency of molten plastic – quarry dust mix.
