RECYCLED FLEXIBLE RESINS IN CONCRETE

Depolymerization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) waste was perfo rmed in presence of manganese acetate catalyst. Different ratios of di ethylene glycol (DG) to propylene glycol (PG) was used for glycolysis. The weight ratio of PET to the glycols mixture was 1:0.65. The hydrox yl value of the glycolyzed products were determined and the amount of free glycol in each case was analyzed. These glycolyzed products were reacted with maleic anhydride (MA) to prepare a series of unsaturated polyesters having different molecular weights. These polyesters were d issolved in styrene monomer and their curing behavior was investigated . The DG was used to impart flexibility to the cured resin. The compre ssive strength of the polymer concretes (PC) made with these resins we re measured and was found to be comparable to PC made from virgin mate rials.