ABSTRACT
Recycled poly (ethylene terephthalate), PET, plastic waste can be used to produce unsaturated polyester resins. The PET waste is typically found in used beverage bottles that are collected after use in many localities. Research at the University of Texas investigated the use of suitable unsaturated polyester resins based on recycled PET for the production of polymer concrete (PC) materials. The properties and structural behavior of unreinforced and steel-reinforced PC materials using resins based on recycled PET were found to be comparable to those obtained with PC materials using virgin resins. Resins based on recycled PET can also relatively easily be altered to achieve a wide variety of properties and performances in the PC. An experimental design also showed that the effect of the level of PET in the resin did not adversely affect the neat resin and the PC mechanical properties. Resins based on recycled PET help in decreasing the cost of PC products, saving energy, and alleviating an environmental problem posed by plastics waste.
