Use of pulp and paper industry waste in binding and cementitious materials technology

Introduction. Utilization of chemical cellulose fillers in construction industry is one of the ways of processing unused wastes from pulp and paper industry. Decorative, finishing, and heat insulation materials are widely used as construction materials. This paper proposes various compositions and insulation materials characterized by compressive strength of not less than 10 MPa, water tightness of 0.8, and density of not over 600 kg/m3. The likely curing mechanism is studied for cement systems. The possible mechanism of hardening structures formation in the systems is discussed. Methodology. Corrugated fibreboard МS-5B waste is used as a filler, high-early strength cement М-500 (CEM 47.5) – as inorganic binder, and elemental sulfur, polyethylene terephthalate, cementmodified polyurethane (PU) with the addition of nanosized silicon oxide are used as a polymeric matrix. Infrared spectroscopy, terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS), and scanning electron microscopy are used for investigations. Cement samples undergo compressive strength, water tightness and water absorption testing. Results and discussion. Physical and mechanical properties obtained for composites with the paper filler and polymeric matrix based on cement-modified PU, are described, and testing results are compared with the experimental data obtained for materials based on other binders. It is found that the paper filler–cement-modified PU composition is consistent with the purposes of this research. The understanding is improved for the curing mechanism of the polymeric matrix–paper filler system. The THz-TDS data demonstrate a correlation between the spectral transmission and thermal conductivity and density of synthesized heat insulation materials. Conclusion. Synthesized is the effective heat insulation material with relatively high compressive strength, low density, and high tightness to water. Scientific understanding of the curing mechanism is improved.