Experimental study and modeling analysis of strength properties of sulfur-based polymers of waste ceramic fine aggregates

Solid waste recycling is an important research direction. Ceramic wastes are stable, robust, and highly resistant to degradation when used as aggregates. Modified sulfur presents the properties of rapid hardening, melt recyclability, and anhydrous involvement when used in polymers. This study aims to prepare a solid waste polymer with excellent mechanical properties on the basis of these two material properties. Experiments on compressive and splitting tensile strengths of sulfur-based polymers with waste ceramics as fine aggregate were conducted at a mass content of 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, and 80% and then compared with sulfur-based polymers with standard and river sands as the fine aggregate. Results showed that the strength of the polymer with waste ceramics as the fine aggregate is greater than that when standard and river sands are used as the fine aggregate. The compressive strength of the waste ceramic group reached a maximum of 74.8 MPa at an aggregate content of 70%wt and the splitting tensile strength reached a maximum of 5.1 MPa at an aggregate content of 75%wt in 24 h. The ceramics and sulfur demonstrated a satisfactory matching effect on the formation of polymers with uniform and dense internal structure. The distribution of the pore number produced two trends with certain boundaries when changes in strength are produced. Small porosity and average radius of pores correspond to enhanced strength. Finally, the formula for calculating the compressive strength of sulfur-based polymers of ceramic fine aggregates was established according to packing theory with minimal error.