Manufacture of construction components with plastic fraction of WEEE recycling waste

Abstract

Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) has grown notably in quantity in recent years and this trend is expected to continue. The plastic fraction of the waste (FPR), constitutes approximately 30% of the total by weight, and has not been able to be inserted into the recycling circuit, due to the heterogeneity of constituent plastics and the presence of contaminants, mainly flame retardants and metals. heavy, both toxic to human health.
There are numerous studies on the addition of plastics to mortars, acting as filler or reinforcing fibers, achieving materials suitable for this use. The study of these antecedents led to consider the use of RPF as an aggregate in mortars, in total and partial replacement of the traditional aggregate. A synthetic aggregate (AS) was developed through the core-shell strategy, in which the plastic core is covered with successive layers of cement and its performance as a constructive component was studied through mechanical resistance tests and determination of physical properties. AS can be used in mortars in total and partial replacement of fine aggregate, without significantly reducing the mechanical resistance. Despite the good results obtained, over time, yellow exudates appear on the surface as a result of the destabilization of the flame retardants in the basic cement medium, which makes it potentially dangerous for use in civil constructions. To reverse this effect, activated carbon (AC) was added to the process as a stabilizing additive. This work presents a synthesis of the results presented in the 2019 Conference and the development of what has been done during the current year. The results of the capillary suction test are exhibited with the use of different types and dosages of AC, and a preliminary Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of the impact during its manufacturing stage.