Grouting material manufacturer | New uses for discarded masks-Shenyang Shengxinyuan Building Materials Co., Ltd. - has been tested and certified by the state to meet or exceed national industry standards.

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Grouting material manufacturer | New uses for discarded masks

Release Time:

2022-05-05 09:45

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In recent years, disposable face masks have become a new and substantial form of waste. However, they may actually have a useful purpose, as recent research suggests that adding them to concrete can increase its strength.

Previous research has shown that incorporating tiny reinforcing fibers into concrete before pouring makes it less prone to cracking. Considering this, scientists at Washington State University wondered if the polypropylene or polyester fibers from discarded masks could serve as a source for these fibers.

To find out, researchers first removed the metal nose bridges and cotton ear loops from disposable surgical masks, then tore the remaining fibers into lengths of 5-30 millimeters.

Next, the fibers were treated with a graphene oxide solution. This creates a coating on the fibers, increasing their surface area and helping them bind with the commonly used Portland cement paste. They were then added to the cement, acting as a binder in the concrete, at a volume fraction of 0.1%.

Tests showed that, after one month of curing, the fiber-reinforced cement had a 47% higher tensile splitting strength than untreated Portland cement. Lead scientist Xianming Shi stated, “This work showcases a technology to divert discarded masks from waste to high-value applications.”

The research findings were recently published in the journal *Materials Letters*. Last year, a study by RMIT University in Australia similarly showed that mask fibers help strengthen asphalt and underlying road materials.

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