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Mechanical Performance and Sustainability Potential of Concrete Incorporating Waste Polytetrafluoroethylene Fibers
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Researchers tried mixing recycled Teflon-like plastic waste (PTFE, used in industrial seals) into concrete as a way to reuse this hard-to-recycle material, but found it actually made the concrete weaker and harder to work with, not stronger. This matters because it's a reminder that not all plastic waste can simply be repurposed into building materials without extra processing — scientists will need to chemically treat these fibers first to make them stick to concrete properly before this becomes a real solution for reducing plastic waste.
This study investigates the feasibility of utilizing waste polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fibers as a recycled additive in concrete to support plastic waste valorization and sustainable construction material development. Waste PTFE fibers obtained from industrial seal production were mechanically processed into irregular fiber-like particles with sizes of approximately 4–6 mm and incorporated into concrete mixtures at 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, and 0.8% by weight of concrete. The effects of PTFE fiber addition on workability, splitting tensile strength, and flexural strength were evaluated using cylindrical and beam specimens tested according to SNI and ASTM standards. The results show that increasing PTFE fiber content reduced concrete workability, as indicated by a decrease in slump from 125 mm for the control mixture to 75 mm for the mixture containing 0.8% PTFE fibers. The incorporation of untreated PTFE fibers also decreased mechanical strength. Compared with the control concrete, splitting tensile strength decreased by 6.924%–18.474%, while flexural strength decreased by 15.409%–32.060%. This reduction is attributed to the smooth, hydrophobic, chemically inert, and low-friction surface characteristics of PTFE, which weaken adhesion between the fibers and the cementitious matrix and reduce load-transfer efficiency. Although untreated waste PTFE fibers did not improve the tensile-related mechanical performance of concrete, their use may contribute to plastic waste utilization in construction materials. Further surface treatment, fiber modification, and mix design optimization are required before waste PTFE fibers can be effectively applied as reinforcing materials in sustainable concrete.
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Use of Plastic Waste in Concrete : A Comprehensive Review on Strength of Concrete Mixture with Different Material
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This review paper looks at how recycled plastic waste (like PET bottles) can be mixed into concrete for building construction, finding that the right amount can actually improve certain properties while reducing landfill waste. This matters because it offers a practical way to reuse plastic that would otherwise pollute the environment—though the paper focuses on construction benefits rather than directly studying whether this affects microplastic exposure or human health, so more research would be needed to confirm concrete made this way doesn't shed plastic particles over time.
Impact of using recycled plastic particles as a partial replacement of aggregates on the mechanical performance of the eco-friendly concrete
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Researchers found that mixing small amounts of recycled plastic waste into concrete (replacing sand or gravel) can create lighter, still-usable building material, best suited for things like sidewalks and paving blocks rather than load-bearing structures. This matters because it offers a practical way to reuse plastic waste instead of sending it to landfills or letting it break down into microplastics that pollute soil, water, and eventually our food and bodies. However, this is a construction materials study, not a health study, so it doesn't directly test whether the concrete itself sheds microplastics over time.
Performance evaluation of PET-modified concrete with PET granules and manufactured sand as fine aggregates
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Researchers found that mixing shredded plastic bottles into concrete, replacing some sand, actually made it stronger when used at the right amount (2%). This matters because it gives plastic waste a useful second life instead of it sitting in landfills or being burned, which releases toxic fumes harmful to human health.
Assessment of Plastic-Infused Concrete Bricks and Their Suitability for Interlocking: Mechanical, Durability, and Environmental Perspectives
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Researchers tested plastic-infused concrete bricks as a way to repurpose plastic waste in construction materials, evaluating their mechanical strength and suitability for different building applications. The study explores whether incorporating plastic waste into durable materials can reduce the plastic entering the environment as microplastics.
Development of Sustainable Concrete using Treated Waste Plastic as Fine Aggregate
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Researchers tested concrete made by replacing some sand with chemically treated shredded plastic. Mixing in 5% plastic kept the concrete nearly as strong as normal concrete, while higher amounts made it weaker and harder to work with, suggesting small amounts of treated waste plastic could be used in construction.
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