Study of Different Recycling Approaches for Gypsum-Based Composites with Recycled Rubber Aggregates

The worldwide demand for gypsum resources is continuously growing due to its versatility in the building industry. In this context, incorporating recycled aggregates is gaining attention for enhancing the physico-mechanical properties of gypsum-based composites. Recycled rubber aggregates have stood...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Daniel Ferrández, Alicia Zaragoza-Benzal, Evangelina Atanes-Sánchez, Beatriz Merillas, Ricardo Mateus, Paulo Santos
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Buildings
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/4/577
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850082239938822144
author Daniel Ferrández
Alicia Zaragoza-Benzal
Evangelina Atanes-Sánchez
Beatriz Merillas
Ricardo Mateus
Paulo Santos
author_facet Daniel Ferrández
Alicia Zaragoza-Benzal
Evangelina Atanes-Sánchez
Beatriz Merillas
Ricardo Mateus
Paulo Santos
author_sort Daniel Ferrández
collection DOAJ
description The worldwide demand for gypsum resources is continuously growing due to its versatility in the building industry. In this context, incorporating recycled aggregates is gaining attention for enhancing the physico-mechanical properties of gypsum-based composites. Recycled rubber aggregates have stood out in recent decades as a common option in the development of prefabricated panels and sheets. This study presents a design of gypsum-based composites in which 20 to 40% of the volume of the binding material has been replaced with recycled rubber in two different formats: granulates (1.0–2.5 mm) and powder (<0.8 mm). Three series of composites have been developed to explore their recyclability: Series 1, recycled rubber aggregates and commercial gypsum; Series 2, recycled rubber aggregates (by trituration of samples from Series 1) and commercial gypsum; and Series 3, 100% recycled gypsum and rubber aggregates. All the composites surpass the minimum values of flexural and compressive strength (1 and 2 MPa, respectively) indicated by the normative result. Furthermore, the physicochemical characterisation showed the effectiveness of the recycling process of the triturated dihydrate for obtaining the hemihydrate. A study of the environmental impact revealed a 60% reduction in CO<sub>2</sub> emissions, the equivalent of producing 1 m<sup>2</sup> of prefabricated board using traditional gypsum. Therefore, this research outlines the potential of gypsum recycling with recycled rubber aggregates, thus promoting the circularity of construction products and decreasing the building’s environmental footprint. This represents a novelty compared to current studies, which are more oriented towards recycling and recovery of waste from conventional plasterboards.
format Article
id doaj-art-da7c67ddc93a449fbcf62ab69077cefc
institution DOAJ
issn 2075-5309
language English
publishDate 2025-02-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Buildings
spelling doaj-art-da7c67ddc93a449fbcf62ab69077cefc2025-08-20T02:44:34ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092025-02-0115457710.3390/buildings15040577Study of Different Recycling Approaches for Gypsum-Based Composites with Recycled Rubber AggregatesDaniel Ferrández0Alicia Zaragoza-Benzal1Evangelina Atanes-Sánchez2Beatriz Merillas3Ricardo Mateus4Paulo Santos5Departamento de Tecnología de la Edificación, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Avda Juan de Herrera, 6, 28040 Madrid, SpainDepartamento de Tecnología de la Edificación, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Avda Juan de Herrera, 6, 28040 Madrid, SpainDepartamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, Química y Diseño Industrial, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28012 Madrid, SpainCellular Materials Laboratory (CellMat), Department of Condensed Material Physics, Facultad de Ciencias, University of Valladolid, 47011 Valladolid, SpainDepartment of Civil Engineering, Institute for Sustainability and Innovation in Structural Engineering (ISISE), University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, PortugalUniversity of Coimbra, Department of Civil Engineering, ISISE, ARISE, 3030-788 Coimbra, PortugalThe worldwide demand for gypsum resources is continuously growing due to its versatility in the building industry. In this context, incorporating recycled aggregates is gaining attention for enhancing the physico-mechanical properties of gypsum-based composites. Recycled rubber aggregates have stood out in recent decades as a common option in the development of prefabricated panels and sheets. This study presents a design of gypsum-based composites in which 20 to 40% of the volume of the binding material has been replaced with recycled rubber in two different formats: granulates (1.0–2.5 mm) and powder (<0.8 mm). Three series of composites have been developed to explore their recyclability: Series 1, recycled rubber aggregates and commercial gypsum; Series 2, recycled rubber aggregates (by trituration of samples from Series 1) and commercial gypsum; and Series 3, 100% recycled gypsum and rubber aggregates. All the composites surpass the minimum values of flexural and compressive strength (1 and 2 MPa, respectively) indicated by the normative result. Furthermore, the physicochemical characterisation showed the effectiveness of the recycling process of the triturated dihydrate for obtaining the hemihydrate. A study of the environmental impact revealed a 60% reduction in CO<sub>2</sub> emissions, the equivalent of producing 1 m<sup>2</sup> of prefabricated board using traditional gypsum. Therefore, this research outlines the potential of gypsum recycling with recycled rubber aggregates, thus promoting the circularity of construction products and decreasing the building’s environmental footprint. This represents a novelty compared to current studies, which are more oriented towards recycling and recovery of waste from conventional plasterboards.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/4/577gypsum-based compositesrecycled rubberend-of-life tyrescircular economylife cycle assessmentmechanical properties
spellingShingle Daniel Ferrández
Alicia Zaragoza-Benzal
Evangelina Atanes-Sánchez
Beatriz Merillas
Ricardo Mateus
Paulo Santos
Study of Different Recycling Approaches for Gypsum-Based Composites with Recycled Rubber Aggregates
Buildings
gypsum-based composites
recycled rubber
end-of-life tyres
circular economy
life cycle assessment
mechanical properties
title Study of Different Recycling Approaches for Gypsum-Based Composites with Recycled Rubber Aggregates
title_full Study of Different Recycling Approaches for Gypsum-Based Composites with Recycled Rubber Aggregates
title_fullStr Study of Different Recycling Approaches for Gypsum-Based Composites with Recycled Rubber Aggregates
title_full_unstemmed Study of Different Recycling Approaches for Gypsum-Based Composites with Recycled Rubber Aggregates
title_short Study of Different Recycling Approaches for Gypsum-Based Composites with Recycled Rubber Aggregates
title_sort study of different recycling approaches for gypsum based composites with recycled rubber aggregates
topic gypsum-based composites
recycled rubber
end-of-life tyres
circular economy
life cycle assessment
mechanical properties
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/4/577
work_keys_str_mv AT danielferrandez studyofdifferentrecyclingapproachesforgypsumbasedcompositeswithrecycledrubberaggregates
AT aliciazaragozabenzal studyofdifferentrecyclingapproachesforgypsumbasedcompositeswithrecycledrubberaggregates
AT evangelinaatanessanchez studyofdifferentrecyclingapproachesforgypsumbasedcompositeswithrecycledrubberaggregates
AT beatrizmerillas studyofdifferentrecyclingapproachesforgypsumbasedcompositeswithrecycledrubberaggregates
AT ricardomateus studyofdifferentrecyclingapproachesforgypsumbasedcompositeswithrecycledrubberaggregates
AT paulosantos studyofdifferentrecyclingapproachesforgypsumbasedcompositeswithrecycledrubberaggregates