Study on the optimization of the mechanica properties of engineered desulfurization gypsum composites using response surface methodology

Abstract

Practical applications of desulfurization gypsum are limited owing to its brittleness and low strength. To overcome these challenges, researchers have developed engineered desulfurization gypsum composites (EDGCs) by incorporating ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber and sulfoaluminate cement (SAC). The mix ratio was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). Experimental testing of EDGC under compressive and tensile loads led to the creation of a regression model that investigates the influence of variables and their interactions on the material’s compressive and tensile strengths. Additionally, microscopic morphology and hydration product composition were analyzed to explore the influence mechanism. The results indicated that EDGC’s compressive strength increased by up to 38.4% owing to a decreased water-binder ratio and higher SAC content. Similarly, tensile strength increased by up to 38.6% owing to increased SAC and fiber content. Moreover, EDGC demonstrated excellent strain-hardening behavior and multiple cracking characteristics, achieving a maximum tensile strain of nearly 3%. The research findings provide valuable insights for optimizing the performance of desulfurization gypsum.

Keywords

engineered desulfurization gypsum composites(EDGC) / response surface methodology(RSM) / interaction / compressive strength / tensile strength / strain-hardening

References

[1] JIANG Y, HOU J, CHEN J F, et al. Strength characteristics of desulfurization ash-cement cured silt and application of combined curing-extraction reinforcement[J]. Journal of Southeast University (Natural Science Edition), 2023, 53(3): 519-525. (in Chinese)

[2] GERALDO R H, PINHEIRO S M M, SILVA J S, et al. Gypsum plaster waste recycling: A potential environmental and industrial solution[J]. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2017, 164: 288-300.

[3] LI Y, DUAN P X, NI W, et al. Carbon footprint evaluation of cementitious materials prepared from industrial by-product gypsum based on life cycle[J]. Silicate Bulletin, 2023, 42(6): 1921-1930. (in Chinese)

[4] YANG N, LI Y X, ZHAO M, et al. Modeling of direct CO2 emission accounting for cement clinker production enterprises[J]. Progress in Climate Change Research, 2021, 17(1): 79-87. (in Chinese)

[5] LIU S, LIU W, JIAO F, et al. Production and resource utilization of flue gas desulfurized gypsum in China — A review[J]. Environmental Pollution, 2021, 288: 117799.

[6] LUO C R, WANG J Y, CHEN C. Current situation and analysis of industrialized comprehensive utilization of desulfurization gypsum[J]. Coal Processing and Comprehensive Utilization, 2023, 3: 88-100. (in Chinese)

[7] WU Q S, MA H E, CHEN Q J, et al. Preparation of waterproof block by silicate clinker modified FGD gypsum[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2019, 214: 318-325.

[8] JIA R Q, WANG Q, FENG P. A comprehensive overview of fibre-reinforced gypsum-based composites (FRGCs) in the construction field[J]. Composites Part B: Engineering, 2021, 205: 108540.

[9] ZHU C, ZHANG J X, PENG J H, et al. Physical and mechanical properties of gypsum-based composites reinforced with PVA and PP fibers[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2018, 163: 695-705.

[10] ZENG Z Y, LIAO C Q, SUN C Z. Seismic performance of high-strength concrete columns with PVA fibers in the plastic hinge zone[J]. Journal of Southeast University (Natural Science Edition), 2023, 53(2): 242-251. (in Chinese)

[11] TAN Y, LONG X, YU J T. Effects of inorganic enhancers on the mechanical, chloride ion permeation resistance and self-healing properties of PE/ECC[J]. Journal of Composite Materials, 2024, 41: 937-954.

[12] WANG Y C, JIAN X R, YU J T, et al. Development of gypsum-based composites with tensile strain-hardening characteristics[J]. Journal of the American Ceramic Society, 2020, 103(12): 7115-7126.

[13] ZHOU Y S, XIE L, KONG D W, et al. Research on optimizing performance of desulfurization-gypsum-based composite cementitious materials based on response surface method[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2022, 341: 127874.

[14] AN H F, WANG L L, LÜ F T, et al. Multi-objective optimization of properties on polymer fiber-reinforced desulfurization gypsum-based composite cementitious materials[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2023, 369: 130590.

[15] ZHAO B B, FANG Y, WU K. Optimized design and validation of response surface methodology for the formulation of cyanobacteria powder-penicillin sludge/low-density polyethylene composites[J]. Journal of Composite Materials, 2020, 37(8): 1894-1906. (in Chinese)

[16] China Building Materials Federation. Construction gypsum: GB/T 9776—2022 [S]. Beijing: China Standard Press, 2022. (in Chinese)

[17] Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People’s Republic of China. Standard test methods for fibre concrete: CECS 13: 2009 [S]. Beijing: China Standard Press, 2010. (in Chinese)

[18] LIU H H, HE Z Z, WANG Y F, et al. Preparation and analysis on graphene oxide-silver/graphene oxide/chitosan composite antibacterial dressing[J]. Journal of Southeast University (English Edition), 2023, 39(4): 416-425.

[19] ER E, GAZIGIL L, YONAR T. Electro-oxidation of indigo blue aqueous solution for COD and color removal: RSM optimization and pilot-scale study[J]. Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, 2024, 49(1): 415-428.

[20] SALEH M N, BERNARDINI A T, RAMOS R A N, et al. Aural hematoma in lambs associated with Otobius megnini (Ixodida: Argasidae) infestation[J]. Veterinary Parasitology: Regional Studies and Reports, 2024, 47: 100944.

[21] WAN Y, HUI X, HE X X, et al. Performance of green binder developed from flue gas desulfurization gypsum incorporating Portland cement and large-volume fly ash[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2022, 348: 128679.

[22] ZHOU P, XIE S L, LI Q. Analysis of the effect of water-cement ratio on concrete properties and pore structure[J]. Silicate Bulletin, 2018, 37(3):5-14. (in Chinese)

[23] HAMISI H, JANDE Y A C, HILONGA A. Highly reactive metakaolin: A multi-parameter optimization by response surface methodology[J]. Engineering Research Express, 2023, 5(4): 045064.

[24] QIAN J Z, YU J C, SUN H Q, et al. Formation and role of calcite[J]. Journal of Silicates, 2017, 45(11): 1569-1581. (in Chinese)

[25] ZHOU Y S, XIE L, ZHAO Y S. Research on sulfoaluminate cement modified desulfurization gypsum composites[J]. Nonmetallic Mining, 2021, 44(3): 17-21. (in Chinese)

Funding

The National Natural Science Foundation of China(51978504)