Impact strength, permeability and chemical resistance of concrete reinforced with metalized plastic waste fibers

Abstract This paper represents the results of experimental investigations of impact strength and durability properties of concrete reinforced with post-consumer metalized plastic waste (MPW) generated from the discarded food packaging plastics. The addition of MPW into the conventional concrete can extend a dual benefit of reduced hazards on the environment and improved mechanical and durability properties of concrete. The MPW films were shredded into the macro fibers of varying lengths of 5 mm, 10 mm, and 20 mm and mixed into the concrete by volume fractions from 0% to 2%. The test results showed excellent improvement of the impact resistance by concrete containing MPW fibers of 20 mm length compared to the conventional concrete. The resistance against acid and sulfate attack, chloride penetration, corrosion of concrete, water, and air permeability, and the resistance to the water sorptivity were improved due to the addition of 5 mm length short MPW fibers. For all test conditions, the maximum improvement was observed with the addition of 1% volume fraction of MPW fibers mixed into the conventional concrete.