Preparation and Modification of Chip-Cement Wooden Composites Based on Recycled Plastics

The production of plastics and the associated increasing amount of plastic waste is currently a serious environmental problem that has a negative impact on the environment. It is necessary to develop new methods of recycling and also solutions for the further use of already recycled plastics. Thus far, a lot of research has been devoted to this issue, which focuses on the effective recycling and reuse of recycled plastic in the construction sector. One of the possibilities is the application of a filler substitute in concrete, which is an economically and ecologically advantageous solution that ensures optimal thermal insulation and acoustic properties. The aim of this study was to analyze the potential replacement of conventional aggregates in lightweight concrete, with a filler made of recycled plastic with a lower bulk density. In the research, wood chips were used in combination with recycled waste fillers including polystyrene (SE), polyethene (SP), and polyurethane foam (SU) in ratios of 1:3, 1:1, and 3:1 as an alternative to conventional filler. Concrete composites from these materials were prepared and characterized by their bulk density, thermal conductivity and compressive strength parameters.