Performance of polymer modified concrete incorporating polyvinyl acetate waste

Generation of waste latex paint (WLP) from the manufacturing process of binder paint products is increasing globally due to the increasing need for aesthetical features in association with rapid industrialisation and urbanisation. The volume of waste generated in the form of solids and effluents from these productions annually cause not only financial burden, but accountable for future environmental consequences. The use of polymers such as natural rubber, acrylic, and styrene-butadiene latex has been acknowledged of their characteristics to influence the properties of concrete. In spite of the various researches conducted on the study of polymer in concrete, very little information is known about the incorporation of WLP consisting of polyvinyl acetate waste (PVAW) generated from the binder paint industries. This research aimed to investigate the effect of utilisation of PVAW as an admixture to improve the properties of concrete. The fundamental analysis of WLP was determined including ICP-MS, GPC, DSC, and FTIR. The properties of fresh state concrete include setting time, workability, and heat of hydration. The tests were carried out on mechanical properties of hardened concrete such as compressive, tensile, and flexural strength. The durability test was conducted to investigate the chemical resistance in acids and sulphate solutions, elevated temperature, water absorption, drying shrinkage and leaching test. The microstructural tests in terms of XRD, FESEM, and MIP were also studied. The properties of WLP in terms of the chemical and physical were studied and compared with original latexes. The finding showed that incorporating PVAW impacted positively on the workability of concrete and reduce temperature rise in mass concrete. The setting time of the modified cement paste was delayed compared to the control specimen. However, the delayed setting time was within the limit as suggested by the relevant standard. While in hardened state properties, it shows that optimal compressive strength was achieved from the incorporation of 2-3% PVAW in concrete. Both tensile and flexural strength were larger than the strength of control concrete from the addition of 5% and 1% PVAW, respectively. Better performance in flexural strength was observed in the reinforced modified concrete beam. Modified concrete showed a decrease in water absorption with increase of the PVAW addition. The research examined various aspects of the durability of concrete against physical and chemical attacks. However, it demonstrated slightly less performance to destructive chemicals and elevated temperature. Meanwhile, the incorporation of polymer up to 10% PVAW had no significant effect of heavy metal ion mobilisation in leaching test. It can be concluded that the incorporation of PVAW in concrete may give better performance in strength and durability of the concrete as well as able to minimise the PVAW waste disposal from the production of binder paint for a sustainable environment