Effects of crumb rubber particles on mechanical properties and sustainability of ultra-high-ductile slag-based composites

This study investigated the effect of the addition of crumb rubber (CR) particles in a range of 5% to 10% of binding materials on the compressive strength and tensile behavior of alkali-activated slag (AAS) composites reinforced by polyethylene (PE) fiber. The effect of silica fume (SF), as a partial binder replacement, on the properties of the composite was also investigated. Four mixtures were designed including two with different amounts of CR, one with a combination of CR and SF, and one control. Test results showed that the tensile strain capacity of the AAS composites can be increased by incorporating CR; however, the compressive strength and tensile strength decreased with an increase in the amount of CR. The mixture using CR to replace 5% of the binder amount achieved ultra-high-ductile behavior with a tensile strain capacity of 10.7% and saturated cracking patterns (average crack spacing: 0.70 mm). In addition, the robust greenness of the rubberized composites was completely demonstrated, making this a sustainable model. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.