Permeability and porosity on lightweight mortars fabricated with polyamide powder wastes

Abstract

This paper presents the results obtained in the production of lightweight mortars where different amounts of sand were replaced by polyamide powder wastes. The characterization of the materials obtained was carried out in fresh and hardened state, considering especially the vapor permeability and micro and macroporosity properties. It has been found that the progressive increase of polymer influences the behavior of the mortar, increasing the water vapour permeability as well as the total porosity of the material, which carried on a decrease in the density of the composites fabricated. These results suggest the employment of polyamide powder residue as sand could be useful with the aim of manufacture recycled lightweight masonry mortar.