Improving rubber concrete strength and toughness by plasma-induced end-of-life tire rubber surface modification

This study evaluates the effectiveness of using different plasma treatments to favor the compatibility between rubber and a cement matrix in composites, thus leading to a different surface reactivity of the rubber component. Plasma-treated rubbers were introduced into two different types of concrete. Mechanical tests highlighted that Portland concrete composites filled with N-2/H-2 plasma-treated rubber had increased flexural strength, toughness, and compression strength compared to composites containing untreated rubber. A scaling law is also proposed to qualitatively discriminate between related effects due to topological/roughness or intrinsic/chemical adhesion modifications. Plasma treatment can improve both intrinsic adhesion and roughness of the rubber-cement interface and thus the overall concrete strength and toughness.

Automated summary

The study found that plasma treatment of rubber can improve the compatibility between rubber and cement matrix, resulting in increased strength and toughness of concrete. Mechanical tests showed that plasma-treated rubber introduced into Portland concrete composites led to higher flexural strength, toughness, and compression strength compared to untreated rubber.