Mechanical Characterization of Composite Materials Based on Plastic Waste and Flint

The aim of this study is to enhance the value of plastic waste and mining residues from flint by proposing a method for recycling these wastes into composite materials that can be used in the construction industry. The methodology adopted consists of using flint mine tailings as reinforcement, mixed with four types of plastic: PET, HDPE, PP and LDPE, each mixed in proportions ranging from 10% to 50% in steps of 10, in order to determine which of the four composite materials offers the best mechanical performance. After the bricks had been made, mechanical tests (compression, splitting and 3-point bending) were carried out in the laboratory. The results obtained were acceptable in terms of mechanical strength. The various results obtained were also compared with the requirements of standards for masonry, road surfacing (pavers) and flooring materials. The results show that the materials can be used in the building and civil engineering sector as bricks, electricity poles, road kerbs and floor tiles.