IJERD – International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development (2014) 5-2

Research article
erdUsing of Para-rubber to Develop Properties of Concrete
Block Mixed with Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Plastic in Masonry
PRACHOOM KHAMPUT*
Faculty of Engineering, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, Pathum Thani,Thailand
Email: choomy_gtc@hotmail.com

KITTIPONG SUWEERO
Technology Licensing Office (TLO), Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi,
Pathum Thani, Thailand
Received 21 January 2014

Accepted 21 July 2014(*Corresponding Author)

Abstract The aim of this research is to use Para-rubber (vulcanized latex) as an admixture
for improving the properties of EVA plastic waste concrete block. In mix design, cement
per EVA plastic waste per quarry dust per water ratio is 1:0.5:4:1.6 by weight, vulcanizedlatex per cement ratios are 0.00, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.40, and 0.45
respectively (by weight of cement), no charge surfactant is 4% (by weight of vulcanizedlatex). The suitable ratio of vulcanized latex per cement in this testing is 0.15 (by weightof cement). The properties are obtained as follows. 1) The average density in 14 days is
1,169.59 kg/m3. 2) The average water absorption in 14 days is 9.33%. 3) The averagecompressive strength in 28 days is 25.74 ksc. 4) The coefficient of thermal conductivity is0.1527 W/m.K. 5). The sound absorption coefficient at 2,000 hertz is 0.38. 6) The noise
reduction coefficient is 0.3. It can be seen that many properties are better than normal
EVA plastic waste concrete blocks.
Keywords vulcanized latex, EVA plastic waste, concrete block, thermal conductivity

INTRODUCTION
Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) is the one of light weight garbage, ex. slippers, sport shoe sole,
plastic cones etc. Even though the EVA can be reused by melting, the recycle product’s quality is
dropped more than the previous product. Then the additives need to be used in products so that theproducts quality will be better. That affects to the costs in the industry, for example shoe productsthat produced in Thailand as the fifth largest exporter in the world. Because of low density, soundabsorption and thermal insulation properties of the EVA, the researcher did an experiment bymixing the small crushed the EVA in concrete block. Then the result showed that the EVA withproper size and strength had good adhesion with cement. The concrete could hold together tightly
as single mass. Therefore this concrete had higher properties than the general concrete; their weightis only 3 kg per piece and the density is 640 kg/m3, while the general concrete has weight about 8kg per piece and the density is 1,700 kg/m3. That is similar as light weight concrete and thisconcrete could be used together with plaster as same as general concrete block. However theconcrete block with the EVA will be complete and could be worked properly, if their properties
about low water imperviousness and tension and bending were developed by mixing with the Pararubber (vulcanized latex) (Khamput, 2007a). Then the using Para-rubber to develop the propertiesof concrete block mixed with plastic EVA scraps is the wall construction innovation which has
many outstanding properties as the user requires. Moreover, this innovation is friendly withenvironment, suitable price and could be produced to concrete block.

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OBJECTIVE
The objective of this research is to study about the physical properties, mechanical properties, andthermal insulation properties of the EVA, plastic waste concrete block mixed with the Para-rubber.
METHODOLOGY
Materials and Equipments
The materials and equipments are used as follows. (1) Vulcanized latex tense 60% preserved withhigh ammonia (HA). (2) Ethylene Vinyl Acetate scraps from shoe factories, crushed by plasticgrinder with sieve size no.4 (4.75 mm) as Fig. 1. (3) Sieved quarry dust from sieve no.4 (4) Normal
Portland cement (type 1) (5) Tap water (6) Nonionic Surfactants or Alkyl phenol polyethylene
glycol ether. (7) Weighing apparatus (8) Solid concrete block mold size 1.5x30x30 cm3. (9) Solidconcrete block mold size 7.5x20x60 cm3. (10) Hollow concrete block mold size 7x19x39 cu.cm.
(11) Automatic concrete mixer (12) Plastic grinder with sieve no.4 (13) Hydraulic Compactor (assame as producing the general concrete block) (14) Temperature testing room (size 1x2x2.5 m3). 2rooms, walls lined with thermal insulation 5 sides in front of the wall using Acrylic and inside set
up heat sources (1,000 watt spotlight) temperature, humidity measuring tool, and stopwatch.

Fig. 1 Crushed EVA plastic scrap

Fig.2 EVA concrete block

Mixture Ratio Specification
Specify the ratio of EVA concrete block mixed with vulcanized latex by considering the proper
vulcanized volume per concrete block as Table 1.
Table 1 Ratios of EVA concrete block mixed with vulcanized latex for testing (by weight)
Pre-vulcanized latexNonionic surfactants(dried latex weight)
substances
NOR
110
0.9
P0.00
10.5
4
1.6
P0.05
10.5
4
1.6
0.050
0.002
P0.10
10.5
4
1.6
0.100
0.004
P0.15
10.5
4
1.6
0.150
0.006
P0.20
10.5
4
1.6
0.200
0.008
P0.25
10.5
4
1.6
0.250
0.010
P0.30
10.5
4
1.6
0.300
0.012
P0.35
1
0.5
4
1.6
0.350
0.014
P0.40
10.5
4
1.6
0.400
0.016
P0.45
10.5
4
1.6
0.450
0.018
Note: The ratio of civil engineering principles by considering to civil engineer who utilize from this research bycomparing from cement weight 1 part and dried latex weight tested from percent test of total solid content (TSC).
Ratio

Cement

EVA

Quarry dust

WaterⒸ ISERD87

IJERD – International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development (2014) 5-2Concrete Block Forming
For forming of EVA concrete block mixed with vulcanized latex is focused on the forming process
as same as production process of general concrete block at most following. (1) Measure the mixtureof concrete block by a predetermined ratio. (2) Divide water for mixing to 3 parts and specify 2parts from 3 parts mixed with vulcanized latex and nonionic surfactants substances. (3) Prepare theconcrete mixer which could preserve the fresh concrete in the damp condition. (4) Divide thecement (binder) to 3 parts and bring the binder part 1 and water (without mixed with vulcanizedlatex and nonionic surfactants substances) in the mixing drum respectively. (5) Add the quarry dustand EVA scrap about half of the total and mixed well. (6) After that add the rest of quarry dust andEVA scrap with cement part 2 and spray the liquid (mixed with vulcanized latex and nonionicsurfactants substances) about a half of total liquid. (7) While mixing all materials add gradually therest of cement and spray the last liquid too. (8) Mix mixture well not more than 10 minutes (9) Do
forming the concrete block by hydraulic compaction machine. (10) Remove the concrete blockfrom mold and incubate the forming concrete in the air and indoor.
Property Test
The physical and mechanical properties of EVA concrete block mixed with vulcanized latex istested according the TIS standard 58-2533 (TIS, 1990) and ASTM (ASTM, 2010) (10 samples pertest) following. (1) Enlarge image by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) at period age 28 days.
(2) Density test at period age 14 days (3) Compression test at period age 7, 14, 21 and 28 days, test
30 examples per a ratio. (4) Water absorption test at period age 14 days (5) Drying shrinkage orlength changing test at period age 14 days (6) Thermal coefficient test by forming the concrete blockwith size 15x30x30 cu.cm at period age 14 days according to ASTM C177-10 (ASTM, 2010) (7)Thermal insulation test with room size 1x2x2.5 cu.m. 2 rooms the walls are made of plywood andzinc lined with thermal insulation 5 sides in front of the wall using Acrylic and inside set up heatsources (1,000 watt spotlight), temperature-humidity measuring tool, and stopwatch. (8) Burning
rate test at period age 14 days according to ASTM D635-10 (ASTM, 2010) (9) Sound absorption
test at period age 14 days according to ASTM C423-10 (ASTM, 2010).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Enlarging Image
Enlarging image by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) magnificent x 2,000, as in Fig. 3 that
aggregates and chemical bonding of concrete block as mortar, EVA plastic scraps, quarry dust were
coated and inserted in the cavity or gap by Para-rubber film (Ohama, 1987). As a result of the film
plate and rubber were inserted in the concrete block which affected to the reducing gap of EVA
concrete block.

30 ma )P0.00)

30 mb (P0.10)30 mc )P0.20)

Fig. 3 Enlarging image of EVA concrete block mixed vulcanized latexⒸ ISERD88

IJERD – International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development (2014) 5-2

Density Test
From the Fig. 4, the vulcanized latex which was mixed in the EVA concrete block effected to thereduced density. The EVA concrete block mixed much vulcanized latex had the low density. The
EVA concrete block mixed with less vulcanized latex or without vulcanized latex had the highdensity. The density of EVA concrete block mixed with vulcanized latex in the highest volume had
the low density about 1,150 kg/m3 while the EVA concrete block without mixing of vulcanizedlatex had the high density about 1,250 kg/m3. Because the Para-rubber or film plate fromvulcanized latex had the density much lower than the concrete (Ohama, 1987), the Para-rubber was
binding as a big lump. When the mixing volume of vulcanized latex in concrete was high, there
was much gap in the tract of concrete block.
Water Absorption Test
The results of water absorption of EVA concrete block mixed with the vulcanized latex in thevarious volumes could be summarized as Fig. 5. The adding of vulcanized latex volume in EVA
concrete block affected to the reduced water absorption. The EVA concrete block without mixingof vulcanized latex showed the value of water absorption about 13%. When the vulcanized latex
was added about 0.20 of the weight of the cement, the water absorption would be reduced about9%. Because the film plate from the reaction of cement and vulcanized latex was inserted in thetexture of EVA concrete block, this film plate was the water denser material (Ohama, 1987).
However, from the testing of the water absorption all types of EVA concrete block had the water
absorption lower than TIS standard 58-2533. This limitation was not more than 25% in allconditions.
Drying Shrinkage Test
From the Fig. 6, the vulcanized latex could help to reduce the drying shrinkage value which wasoccurred due to humidity loss through a capillary pore (Aly and Sanjayan, 2010). That affected tochanges of the length and volume of concrete block. Normally the EVA scrap was the water
absorbing material. Then the EVA concrete block had the drying shrinkage lower than normal
concrete block. When the vulcanized latex, whose characters were as film plate inserted in theconcrete block, was used for mixing in the concrete block, the water in concrete block was difficult
to lose. Therefore the drying shrinkage from water loss (Khamput, 2007b) was quite nearly
happened less than the concrete block without mixing the vulcanized latex. The particle of rubber
film inserted as film plate in various gaps could help for the difficult shrinkage and expansion.
Compression Test
From the results of the compression or compressive strength test of EVA concrete block mixed
with vulcanized latex that could be summarized by division of mixtures ratio as Fig. 7. The proper
mixing of vulcanized latex in EVA concrete block could develop the various properties. The
compression property was reached to TIS standard 58-2533. That was defined not more 25 ksc.
The highest limit of mixing the vulcanized latex was not more than 0.15 of cement weight and theircompression was still higher than 25 ksc because the mixing of vulcanized latex could make thecompression reduced (Khamput, 2007b). Because the Para-rubber film were the polymer material
which were cohesive, high flexible, not sturdy like aggregates, so the space for compressive
strength was reduced due to mixing of vulcanized latex in high volume.
Thermal Conductivity Test
The result of thermal conductivity, coefficient of EVA concrete block mixed with vulcanized latex
according to ASTM C177-10 (ASTM, 2010) operated the testing by Department of ScienceⒸ ISERD89

IJERD – International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development (2014) 5-2

Service, Ministry of Science and Technology Thailand presented as Fig. 8. The vulcanized latexcould help to reduce the thermal conductivity coefficient of EVA concrete block by adding thehighest vulcanized latex volume. That was the best way for reducing the thermal conductivity
coefficient; from the mixing of vulcanized latex about 0.20 of cement weight. Their thermal
conductivity coefficient was lower than the adding of vulcanized latex volume at 0.05 of cement
weight and without mixing of vulcanized latex. Because the rubber film was the good material forthe thermal insulation (McCrum et al., 1997), and while mixing the vulcanized latex in concrete
block produced the air bubble in the flesh of concrete block (Khamput, 2007b), that made thedensity and the thermal conductivity, coefficient reduced.
Thermal Insulation Test
From the result of thermal insulation test in Fig. 9, the EVA concrete block mixed with vulcanizedlatex could reduce the temperature in the testing room lower than the EVA concrete block without
mixing the vulcanized latex about 1 degree Celsius. That was lower than general concrete about 2
degrees Celsius which were related with the result of the thermal conductivity coefficient test.

Fig.
4 The
Fig.4
Theresults
resultsofof density
densityFig.
The results
resultsofofwater
waterabsorption
absorption
Fig.55 The

Fig. 6The
Theresults
resultsofofdrying
dryingshrinkage
shrinkage
Fig.6

Fig. The
7 The
resulsofofcompressive
compressive
strength
Fig.7
results
strength

Fig.
8 The
Fig.8
Theresults
resultsofofthermal
thermalconductivityconductivity

Fig.
Theresults
resultsofofthermal
thermalinsulation
insulation
Fig.99TheⒸ ISERD

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IJERD – International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development (2014) 5-2

Burning Rate Test
From the test of fire according to ASTM D635-10 (ASTM, 2010) to find out the burn rate value,the EVA concrete block mixed with vulcanized latex had no fire property because the most tract ofconcrete block was not easy flammable. The vulcanized latex and EVA scrap inserted in the fleshof concrete block was not melt continuously, then that was not flammable and could be used usual.
The concrete block was practically used by laying brick wall and plastering with thick mortar about
1-2 cm. The flammability was difficult to happened because that depends on 3 factors; heat, fueland air. The plastering was the thermal and air insulation for the concrete block while burning.
Sound Absorption Test
From NRC of various concrete blocks as Table 2 that showed the efficacy of EVA concrete blockto prevent the noise on the medium level. The process to develop the efficacy of sound absorption
was the adding of much vulcanized latex volume because of the flexibility of polymer inserted
inside in concrete block; EVA scraps, rubber and film plate could help to absorb the sound energy
as good as compared them with using the thick carpet as sound absorbed materials.
Table 2 Results of sound absorption coefficient and the noise reduction coefficient
Thickness(cm)7.5
includedgapsRatio
NOR
P0.00
P0.05
P0.10
P0.15
P0.20

250
0.044
0.17
0.19
0.21
0.22
0.23

Sound absorption coefficient
500
1,000
2,000
0.054
0.097
0.082
0.19
0.36
0.38
0.25
0.36
0.37
0.24
0.36
0.37
0.25
0.36
0.38
0.26
0.35
0.38

NRC
0.07
0.28
0.29
0.30
0.30
0.31

CONCLUSION
Vulcanized latex could help to develop some property of the EVA concrete block; reducing ofdensity, water absorption, drying shrinkage and thermal conductivity coefficient and adding someproperty of sound absorption, thermal insulation and non flammability. Nevertheless the mixing ofvulcanized latex overmuch could make the compressive strength reduced and the costs of EVA
concrete block would be higher. The vulcanized latex volume about 0.05 of cement weight (ratioP0.15) had a good property reached TIS standard 58-2533 (TIS, 1990) and the cost was not so high.
After comparing with the wall materials in the construction market; concrete block and lightweight, block the EVA concrete block mixed with vulcanized latex had better property than thegeneral concrete block. This EVA concrete block had similar property with light weight block but
their costs were less than light weight block. Moreover the vulcanized latex could reduce water
absorption problem. That made the EVA concrete block easy to plaster and mortar.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This research was supported from the Thailand Research Fund for the small research as topic of
Para rubber under contract number RDG5450087.
REFERENCES
Aly, T. and Sanjayan, J.G. 2010. Effect of pore-size distribution on shrinkage of concretes. Journal ofMaterials in Civil Engineering, 22, 525-532.
ASTM. 2010. Annual book or ASTM standards. ASTM, Philadelphia.
Khamput, P. 2007a. Using of medium ammonia concentrate latex mixed in lightweight mortar. AnnualⒸ ISERD

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Concrete Conference, 3, 168-175.
Khamput, P. 2007b. A study of physical and mechanical properties of concrete block mixed with para rubber.
National Research Project, Para Rubber Industrial department.
McCrum, N.G., Buckley, C.P. and BucknaIi, C.B. 1997. Principles of polymer engineering. Oxford
University Press. 2Ed. 447.
Ohama, Y. 1987. Principle of latex modification and some typical properties of latex-modified mortars
concretes. ACI Materials Journal, 84 (6), 511-518.
Thai Industrial Standards Institutes (TIS). 1990. TIS standard 58-2533 - hollow non load bearing concrete
masonry unit. Ministry of Industrial, Bangkok, Thailand.

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