Evaluation of the mechanical, durability microstructural and mineralogical properties of cement composites treated with waste tire rubber

Abstract

In this study, waste tire powder groups from the same waste tire material but with different particle sizes are added in cement mixtures that are intended for the production of cement composites as a replacement for certain proportions of the cement content. Four different waste tire group particle size ranges of 0-0.075 mm, 0.075-0.18 mm, 0.18-0.425 mm and 0.425-2 mm are added in cement mixtures by mass of 5%, 10% and 15%. After physical and chemical properties and particle size distributions of the prepared mixtures are determined, mortar specimens of 4x4x16 cm are taken, which are then subjected to compressive strength, weight change, microstructure (SEM-EDS) and mineralogical (XRD) analyses. When the results are evaluated, it is found that compressive strength values of cement mortars including 10% of waste tire powder are higher in thaw freezing-series when compared to the water-curing series. The SEM-EDS and XRD analyses also provided results coherent with compressive strength values. On the other hand, the wetting-drying series are found to be the series with the lowest weight change results.