Use of Waste Injection Molding Pellets as Aggregate in Concrete: A Preliminary Study of Viability

Recycling of advanced polymers and composites is a major problem facing the composites industry due not only to problems related to the actual process itself but also to liability issues associated with reuse. This paper presents the results of an investigation aimed at the reuse of waste pellets as aggregate in concrete to increase compression strength and ductility of the resulting concrete. A variety of glass filled materials including nylon, polycarbonate and polypropylene, as well as unreinforced polymers such as PET and PEEK, were used. Materials were substituted for traditional stone aggregate at a range of levels from 10 to 100%. Results demonstrate the viability of such use and the paper discusses implications in terms of future surface treatments.