Abstract: The present research is focused on synthesizing and physically characterization different mixtures of concrete mortar reinforced with thermostable polymers from industrial waste. The mortars were made from the homogeneous mixture of cement, gravel, and water with additions of polyepoxide in different percentages. This polymer carried a milling process to obtain particle sizes of 1, 2 and 3mm. The mixtures were emptied in cubic bronze molds (5cm side) without vibrating compaction and allowed to stand for 24 hours before being removed. Ten mortars were prepared by mixture and they were cured in water for 28 days at room temperature before being characterized. Subsequently, the weight, compression strength and thermal conductivity of the samples were measured. The best results were for the mortars with additions of 100% polyepoxide (without gravel) and 3mm particle size, with a compression strength of 76.6kgcm-2 (higher than that required in mortars, 70kgcm-2), a thermal conductivity of 0.68Wm-1K-1 (59.93% less than conventional mortar, 1.70Wm-1K-1) and a weight of 141g (33.80% lower than the traditional mortar, 213g). According to the results obtained, a reliable alternative is presented to reuse waste material in the construction industry, replacing gravel by polyepoxide polymer particles in the process of manufacturing masonry elements providing the final product with the characteristics of lightness, thermal insulation, and acceptable compression strength, through simple, economical and sustainable processes.

Resumen: La presente investigación se centra en la síntesis y caracterización física de diferentes mezclas de mortero de hormigón reforzado con polímeros termoestables de residuos industriales. Los morteros se hicieron a partir de la mezcla homogénea de cemento, grava y agua con adiciones de poliepóxido en diferentes porcentajes. Este polímero llevó un proceso de molienda para obtener tamaños de partículas de 1, 2 y 3mm. Las mezclas se vaciaron en moldes cúbicos de bronce (5cm de lado) sin compactación vibrante y se dejaron reposar durante 24 horas antes de ser retiradas. Se prepararon 10 morteros por mezcla y se curaron en agua durante 28 días a temperatura ambiente antes de ser caracterizados. Posteriormente, se midió el peso, la resistencia a la compresión y la conductividad térmica de las muestras. Los mejores resultados fueron para los morteros con adiciones de 100% de poliepóxido (sin grava) y 3mm de tamaño de partícula, con una resistencia a la compresión de 76.6kgcm-2 (mayor que la requerida en morteros, 70kgcm-2), una conductividad térmica de 0.68Wm-1K-1 (59.93% menos que el mortero convencional, 1.70Wm-1K-1) y un peso de 141g (33.80% menos que el mortero tradicional, 213g). De acuerdo con los resultados obtenidos, se presenta una alternativa sólida para reutilizar material de desecho en la industria de la construcción, reemplazando la grava por partículas de polímero poliepóxido en el proceso de fabricación de elementos de mampostería proporcionando al producto final las características de ligereza, aislamiento térmico y resistencia a la compresión aceptable, a través de procesos simples, económicos y sostenibles.

The synthesis of alumina (Al2O3)-composites having different amount of very fine titanium and titanium carbide reinforcement-particles has been explored. Two experimental steps have been set for the synthesis; the first step consisted of the pressureless-sintering of Al2O3-titanium powders which were thoroughly mixed under high energy ball-milling and through the second step it was induced the formation of titanium carbide during different times at 500 ºC by the cementation packing process. SEM and EDS analysis of the microstructures obtained in both sintered and cemented bodies were performed in order to know the effect of the activated carbon used as cementing agent on the titanium for each studied composite. It was observed that a titanium carbide layer growth from the surface into the bulk and reaches different depth as the titanium content in the composites increases. On the other hand, the use of ductile titanium notably enhanced density level and fracture toughness of the composites.