This study investigates the use of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from plastic bottles as a binder in the production of pavement blocks, aiming to replace conventional cement with melted PET.
Four formulations were examined. Plastic bottle waste was cut into small pieces and melted at controlled temperatures ranging from 180 °C to 200 °C. The molten PET was then combined with crushed sand (0–5 mm) and clay in varying proportions to create paver block samples. The PET content was fixed at 30%, while the crushed sand proportion was adjusted to 70%, 65%, 63%, and 60% based on the clay addition of 0%, 5%, 7%, and 10%, respectively.
The produced pavement blocks underwent a series of mechanical and physical tests to assess their performance, including tensile splitting strength, abrasion resistance, and water absorption. For each test, three specimens per formulation were analyzed to determine the optimal composition offering the best mechanical properties. The results demonstrate that pavement blocks incorporating plastic waste and aggregates exhibit promising mechanical performance, comparable to conventional concrete pavers in terms of tensile strength and wear resistance, while significantly reducing water absorption.
The formulation containing 5% clay achieved a remarkable 93% reduction in water absorption compared to traditional concrete pavers. Microscopic analysis revealed that clay plays a crucial role in filling voids between aggregates, thereby enhancing both cohesion and structural integrity. However, an excessive clay content above 5% adversely affects overall performance.
