New composite gypsum plaster – ground waste rubber coming from pipe foam insulation

Industrial production of pipe foam insulation generates huge volumes of scrap material, driving to a serious environmental problem. esearch studies the potential of adding different size particle proportions of this waste rubber to a plaster matrix. For this purpose, an experimental plan has been elaborated which characterizes the physical and mechanical behavior of the new composite: Shore C hardness, flexure and compressive strength. Furthermore, different particle sizes, weight rates and water/plaster ratios have been analyzed. w of the results this waste rubber could be incorporated in gypsum based composites forming part of new lightweight products.