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Tests of Cement and Slag Mortars with SBR Rubber Granulates in Terms of Ecotoxicity and Strength
Summary
This study tested mortars made with recycled rubber granules from used tires — which contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and metals — finding that no PAHs leached from the hardened mortar into water, and that metals were largely immobilized by the binder. While not focused on microplastics directly, tire rubber is a major source of tire wear particles (a form of microplastic) in the environment, and this work is relevant to understanding whether rubber waste reuse in construction can safely contain toxic chemicals rather than releasing them.
Various solutions for the management of rubber waste from used tires are known. We encounter in particular tests of concrete mixtures and the finished product, in the literature. These tests are describing rheological, mechanical and durability properties, mainly. However, the high toxicity of rubber waste from car tires requires that such concrete be tested in terms of ecotoxicology. The paper presents the results of research on the use of three different SBR granulates as fillers in mortars with a slag or CEM IV cement binder. The focus was on the immobilization of harmful compounds from rubber granules in the binder mass. It was assumed that the construction product using mortar with rubber granules would be in contact with water. The mass share of granulates in mortars was 4.7%. The grain size of the granulates was up to 4 mm, mainly 1–3 mm. A decrease in the strength of mortars with the addition of granulates and no leaching of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from mortars was demonstrated. The metals from the mortars were absorbed by the rubber, most probably. The strength of slag mortars was greater than cement mortars.