Effect of Red Mud and Palm Oil Fuel Ash as Cement Replacement on the Properties of PET Resin-Modified MMA Polymer Concrete at Elevated Temperatures

The mechanical and durability properties of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) modified methyl methacrylate (MMA) polymer concrete (PC) composite based on industrial waste (palm oil fuel ash and red mud) were investigated for potential application at room temperature (RT) (27°C) and elevated temperature (ET) (100°C, 200°C, and 300°C). Taguchi’s design of experiments and particle packing density method for aggregates was used to optimize the PC mixture proportion and to increase the overall properties of the PC composite. The test specimens were subjected to mechanical testing, water absorption, TGA analysis, electric resistivity, ultrasonic pulse velocity, and SEM analysis. The results indicates that the palm oil fuel ash (POFA) PC specimens exposed to ET 200°C show 5.56% and 6.25% increases in compressive and flexure strength in comparison with POFA PC cured at RT 27°C. According to SEM analysis, the proposed mechanism behind the enhancement of mechanical properties is the increased polymerization reaction of modified PET resin at high temperature and the pozzolanic activity of POFA particles. PC containing red mud (RM) filler showed increased compressive strength by 7.8% in comparison with POFA PC at ET 300°C. The PET resin modified with MMA PC can be considered a promising alternative to ordinary portland cement concrete composite, especially in different types of buildings, precast walls/panels, and bridge deck pavements.