Utilization of lightweight ceramic aggregates based on waste materials in the production of lightweight polymer concrete as a component of sustainable architecture

In this study, a novel lightweight epoxy polymer concrete (PC) was developed with lightweight ceramic aggregates based on waste materials, which can be applied in construction materials. For the purposes of this study, lightweight ceramic aggregates based on waste materials were produced and used as fillers in the production of epoxy polymer concretes. Two aggregate fractions were used in the study: 4-8 mm and 8-16 mm. The physical properties of non-infiltrated and infiltrated granules were compared, which clearly demonstrated that infiltration is beneficial, as the penetration of liquid resin into deep pores increases the interfacial surface area. Next, using the infiltrated granules, a series of polymer concretes were prepared and tested for compressive strength, flexural strength, open porosity, water absorption, apparent density, and thermal diffusivity. The highest mechanical properties were achieved for samples containing only a fine fraction with aggregates with a diameter of 4-8 mm, 99.68 MPa compression, and 18.71 MPa flexural strength. Thermal diffusivity measurements were obtained for heat transfer comparison between the developed polymer concrete and traditional concrete. The results showed that the thermal diffusivity value for the polymer concrete was equal to 2.33 ×10^-7 m²/s, which was nearly half of traditional concrete. The investigated material was considered to be frost-resistant because of its low water absorption (0.36%). It was proven that the utilization of lightweight ceramic aggregates based on waste materials was reasonable and increased the mechanical properties of the polymer concrete alongside the overloading environment by processing wastes that are difficult to reuse.