Performance assessment and microstructural characterization of combined surface, chemical and polymer treated crumb rubber concrete

Abstract Discarded tire crumb rubber is considered as a sustainable alternative to natural aggregate in the production of concrete. However, this rubberized concrete usually exhibits lower performance attributes because of its low density, rigidity, and hydrophobic properties. Current study investig...

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Main Authors: B. Kevin, Prabir K. Sarker, Mini K. Madhavan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-97189-8
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author B. Kevin
Prabir K. Sarker
Mini K. Madhavan
author_facet B. Kevin
Prabir K. Sarker
Mini K. Madhavan
author_sort B. Kevin
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Discarded tire crumb rubber is considered as a sustainable alternative to natural aggregate in the production of concrete. However, this rubberized concrete usually exhibits lower performance attributes because of its low density, rigidity, and hydrophobic properties. Current study investigates the use of treated crumb rubber as a partial replacement for fine aggregate in M30 grade concrete. Various treatment methods such as chemical (NaOH), surface (cement coating), and combined treatments (NaOH + cement coating (CCOH), NaOH + cement + latex coating (CCOHLX)), were employed to enhance bonding of rubber in the matrix. Microstructural analysis using SEM and EDX revealed improved surface roughness and adhesion in treated crumb rubber. Compressive strength increased by 24.7% and 11.8% for 10% replacement, and 27% and 21.7% for 20% replacement, with CCOH and CCOHLX treatments, respectively. Durability tests showed 25.9% and 36.7% improvements in resistance to chloride penetration and reduced abrasion mass loss by 15% and 23.3% for CCOH-M and CCOHLX-M mixes. The SEM images showed a better adhesion of the CCOH and CCOHLX treated crumb rubbers. The study concludes that 20% replacement of aggregate with CCOH and CCOHLX treated crumb rubber optimizes strength and durability, thus offering an environmentally friendly solution for tire waste management.
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spelling doaj-art-8bdf86c91fc94261aede2677fd2e7c102025-08-20T01:49:48ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-05-0115112010.1038/s41598-025-97189-8Performance assessment and microstructural characterization of combined surface, chemical and polymer treated crumb rubber concreteB. Kevin0Prabir K. Sarker1Mini K. Madhavan2Department of Civil Engineering, Amrita School of Engineering, Coimbatore, Amrita Vishwa VidyapeethamCivil Engineering Discipline, School of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Curtin UniversityDepartment of Civil Engineering, Amrita School of Engineering, Coimbatore, Amrita Vishwa VidyapeethamAbstract Discarded tire crumb rubber is considered as a sustainable alternative to natural aggregate in the production of concrete. However, this rubberized concrete usually exhibits lower performance attributes because of its low density, rigidity, and hydrophobic properties. Current study investigates the use of treated crumb rubber as a partial replacement for fine aggregate in M30 grade concrete. Various treatment methods such as chemical (NaOH), surface (cement coating), and combined treatments (NaOH + cement coating (CCOH), NaOH + cement + latex coating (CCOHLX)), were employed to enhance bonding of rubber in the matrix. Microstructural analysis using SEM and EDX revealed improved surface roughness and adhesion in treated crumb rubber. Compressive strength increased by 24.7% and 11.8% for 10% replacement, and 27% and 21.7% for 20% replacement, with CCOH and CCOHLX treatments, respectively. Durability tests showed 25.9% and 36.7% improvements in resistance to chloride penetration and reduced abrasion mass loss by 15% and 23.3% for CCOH-M and CCOHLX-M mixes. The SEM images showed a better adhesion of the CCOH and CCOHLX treated crumb rubbers. The study concludes that 20% replacement of aggregate with CCOH and CCOHLX treated crumb rubber optimizes strength and durability, thus offering an environmentally friendly solution for tire waste management.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-97189-8CharacterizationCrumb rubberDurabilityRubberized concreteStrengthTreatment
spellingShingle B. Kevin
Prabir K. Sarker
Mini K. Madhavan
Performance assessment and microstructural characterization of combined surface, chemical and polymer treated crumb rubber concrete
Scientific Reports
Characterization
Crumb rubber
Durability
Rubberized concrete
Strength
Treatment
title Performance assessment and microstructural characterization of combined surface, chemical and polymer treated crumb rubber concrete
title_full Performance assessment and microstructural characterization of combined surface, chemical and polymer treated crumb rubber concrete
title_fullStr Performance assessment and microstructural characterization of combined surface, chemical and polymer treated crumb rubber concrete
title_full_unstemmed Performance assessment and microstructural characterization of combined surface, chemical and polymer treated crumb rubber concrete
title_short Performance assessment and microstructural characterization of combined surface, chemical and polymer treated crumb rubber concrete
title_sort performance assessment and microstructural characterization of combined surface chemical and polymer treated crumb rubber concrete
topic Characterization
Crumb rubber
Durability
Rubberized concrete
Strength
Treatment
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-97189-8
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