Physico-Mechanical Properties of Alkali-Activated Based Composites Using Recycled Tire Fibers

Used tires (UTs) are a global problem, especially in developing countries due to inadequate management systems. During retreading, when the worn tread is replaced, waste is generated in the form of tire fibers (TFs) and particles, which can be reused as raw materials to produce economically and envi...

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Main Authors: Edwin Gudiel, Jordi Payá, María Victoria Borrachero, José María Monzó
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/3/1346
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author Edwin Gudiel
Jordi Payá
María Victoria Borrachero
José María Monzó
author_facet Edwin Gudiel
Jordi Payá
María Victoria Borrachero
José María Monzó
author_sort Edwin Gudiel
collection DOAJ
description Used tires (UTs) are a global problem, especially in developing countries due to inadequate management systems. During retreading, when the worn tread is replaced, waste is generated in the form of tire fibers (TFs) and particles, which can be reused as raw materials to produce economically and environmentally low-cost prefabricated elements. Using TFs as a lightweight aggregate in nonstructural geopolymer-based elements is a sustainable valorization option. This study aims to valorize used tires by incorporating them as TFs into lightweight geopolymer mixes and analyzing their physico-mechanical, thermal, and thermography properties for building and civil engineering applications. The geopolymer is produced from a precursor (spent catalyst residue from catalytic cracking, FCC) and an alkaline activator composed of rice husk ash (RHA), sodium hydroxide, and water. The control sample’s (mortar with siliceous sand, CTRLSIL) compressive strength came close to 50 MPa, while the TF mixes ranged from 32 to 3 MPa, which meet the masonry standards. The thermal conductivity and thermography analyses showed that increasing the TF content reduced the heat transmission and achieved a similar performance to expanded-clay concrete and better performance than for conventional concrete.
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spelling doaj-art-e230adb22d5a4f9b9556650d6732ef022025-08-20T02:48:01ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-01-01153134610.3390/app15031346Physico-Mechanical Properties of Alkali-Activated Based Composites Using Recycled Tire FibersEdwin Gudiel0Jordi Payá1María Victoria Borrachero2José María Monzó3Centro de Investigación de la Arquitectura y la Ciudad CIAC, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Av. Universitaria 1801, San Miguel, 15088 Lima, PeruInstituto de Ciencia y Tecnología del Hormigón (ICITECH), Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera S/N, 46022 Valencia, SpainInstituto de Ciencia y Tecnología del Hormigón (ICITECH), Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera S/N, 46022 Valencia, SpainInstituto de Ciencia y Tecnología del Hormigón (ICITECH), Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera S/N, 46022 Valencia, SpainUsed tires (UTs) are a global problem, especially in developing countries due to inadequate management systems. During retreading, when the worn tread is replaced, waste is generated in the form of tire fibers (TFs) and particles, which can be reused as raw materials to produce economically and environmentally low-cost prefabricated elements. Using TFs as a lightweight aggregate in nonstructural geopolymer-based elements is a sustainable valorization option. This study aims to valorize used tires by incorporating them as TFs into lightweight geopolymer mixes and analyzing their physico-mechanical, thermal, and thermography properties for building and civil engineering applications. The geopolymer is produced from a precursor (spent catalyst residue from catalytic cracking, FCC) and an alkaline activator composed of rice husk ash (RHA), sodium hydroxide, and water. The control sample’s (mortar with siliceous sand, CTRLSIL) compressive strength came close to 50 MPa, while the TF mixes ranged from 32 to 3 MPa, which meet the masonry standards. The thermal conductivity and thermography analyses showed that increasing the TF content reduced the heat transmission and achieved a similar performance to expanded-clay concrete and better performance than for conventional concrete.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/3/1346tire fibersFCC precursorrice husk ashgeopolymerthermal conductivitythermography
spellingShingle Edwin Gudiel
Jordi Payá
María Victoria Borrachero
José María Monzó
Physico-Mechanical Properties of Alkali-Activated Based Composites Using Recycled Tire Fibers
Applied Sciences
tire fibers
FCC precursor
rice husk ash
geopolymer
thermal conductivity
thermography
title Physico-Mechanical Properties of Alkali-Activated Based Composites Using Recycled Tire Fibers
title_full Physico-Mechanical Properties of Alkali-Activated Based Composites Using Recycled Tire Fibers
title_fullStr Physico-Mechanical Properties of Alkali-Activated Based Composites Using Recycled Tire Fibers
title_full_unstemmed Physico-Mechanical Properties of Alkali-Activated Based Composites Using Recycled Tire Fibers
title_short Physico-Mechanical Properties of Alkali-Activated Based Composites Using Recycled Tire Fibers
title_sort physico mechanical properties of alkali activated based composites using recycled tire fibers
topic tire fibers
FCC precursor
rice husk ash
geopolymer
thermal conductivity
thermography
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/3/1346
work_keys_str_mv AT edwingudiel physicomechanicalpropertiesofalkaliactivatedbasedcompositesusingrecycledtirefibers
AT jordipaya physicomechanicalpropertiesofalkaliactivatedbasedcompositesusingrecycledtirefibers
AT mariavictoriaborrachero physicomechanicalpropertiesofalkaliactivatedbasedcompositesusingrecycledtirefibers
AT josemariamonzo physicomechanicalpropertiesofalkaliactivatedbasedcompositesusingrecycledtirefibers