Production and characterization of plastic bricks produced from PET, PP, and HDPE types of plastic wastes

Abstract

Plastic is a great problem in Bangladesh. This problem can be solved by producing eco-friendly plastic bricks (PBs) from the mixture of different percentages of plastic wastes (PWs) and Portland Cement (PLC). This research was conducted to manage the PWs by making PBs. The characteristics of the produced PBs were also determined. Three types of PBs e.g. PET, PP, and HDPE were produced from respective PWs. Compressive strength (CS), densities, water absorption rates (WAR), and efflorescence were performed. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques were applied to characterize some properties. Up to certain levels, increasing percentages of the PWs in PBs increases the CS and reduces the WAR. A comparatively higher CS was found in the PBs, which contained 35–45% of PWs. The densities of the experimental bricks varied from 2.01 to 3.01 g cm⁻³. Pearson correlation was performed where it was needed.

The results of the SEM technique showed that the surface structure of the control sample showed some cavities and structure deformation. FTIR technique showed that secondary alcohol and medium aliphatic primary amine were present in the control sample. These were found in 1124 cm⁻¹ and 3400 cm⁻¹ spectrums. The common functional group e.g. medium aliphatic primary amine was found in all three samples, indicating N–H stretching was present in the 3400 cm⁻¹ spectrum. High CS in PBs revealed that the produced PBs were capable enough to be used in the construction sectors. This could avoid the excessive use of conventional bricks. Brick production could manage the PWs from the surrounding environment, which ultimately improves the physical quality of the environment.