Polymer sandy paving slabs: production technology and installation

Recommendation points

• What is polymer
• What is the peculiarity of polymer sand tiles
• Which is better – polymer or cement tiles
• Does polymer sand tile have disadvantages
• Price of polymer sand tiles
• Laying polymer sand tiles

In this article you will find information about a new type of paving slabs based on plastic and sand. We will conduct a comparative analysis of the qualitative properties of similar materials, and also compare the price of them. The article contains video of tests, production technologies and installation instructions.

Polymers are firmly established among the most used materials. They are used for the production of almost everything – furniture, dishes, coatings, household items, auto parts and industrial equipment. At the same time, their unsurpassed consumer and operational properties are constantly being improved, discovering more and more facets of these substances..

What is polymer

Without going into chemical details, we can say that a polymer is a plastic (petroleum) in one form or another. In a cold and solid state of aggregation, it is chemically inactive and harmless so much that baths are made of it for bathing children. The polymer enters into a chemical reaction only in two cases – the use of a strong solvent or heating. In the production of polymer sand tiles, heating is used. In the molten state, it becomes a plastic mass or thick liquid, which readily reacts, mixes, adheres, vulcanizes, in general, exhibits chemical and physical activity. It is this property that is used in the manufacture of polymer sand products..

What is the peculiarity of polymer sand tiles

In the manufacture of products, instead of cement, dry plastic mass is used – ground waste. Then the polymer is mixed with sand and preheated to 180 ° C. The cooled molten mass is sent under a heat press, which forms it in the form of a tile. In the cement-sand mortar, mixing occurs due to the chemical activity of the cement. The polymer, in turn, simply solders the grains of sand together. Even water is not required for the reaction.

Video about the production and testing of polymer sand tiles

Which is better – polymer or cement tiles

A popular and well-known “substitute” for natural granite paving stones – cement mortar-based paving slabs – is an extremely simple and relatively cheap solution. However, this simplicity and cheapness turn out to be inconsistency with modern requirements – durability, convenience, environmental friendliness. There are a number of disadvantages of cement tiles and asphalt that are eliminated in polymer sand tiles:

1. Impact resistance. It is impossible to split the polymer tiles on purpose, even with a sledgehammer. Its strength is 250 kg / cm².
2. Wear resistance. The polymer solders the sand so tightly that the material lends itself only to special processing (grinder, perforator, cutter). Cement tiles wear out over time and form dust due to the low comparative adhesion of the particles.
3. Environmental Safety. This claim applies to asphalt, which, when heated to 45 ° C, releases harmful substances. As mentioned above, to enter into a reaction (with atmospheric oxygen), the polymer must be heated to 120 ° C, which is impossible without special equipment.
4. Saving natural resources. Cement production is about factories, quarries, emissions. Crushed stone extraction – subsoil extraction, screening, transportation. For asphalt, oil products are needed, while powerful emissions of toxic gas occur at the time of laying. Raw materials for polymer paving slabs are sand, plastic waste (bottles, bags) and dye. Waste disposal occurs along the way.

Strength test of polymer sand tiles, video

Does polymer sand tile have disadvantages

Of course, in addition to the obvious advantages, there is also a reverse side of the coin. The manufacturing process is a cross between cement tiles and asphalt. The simplicity and low cost of cement tile production affects its unreliability. At the same time, the durability of asphalt requires a complex and expensive process, which involves: an asphalt plant, heavy vehicles, expensive special equipment (pavers, rollers) and many workers.

Disadvantages of polymer tiles:

1. Limited shapes and sizes. Polymer sand tiles are produced in workshops using relatively simple equipment, but they require powerful steel molds. They serve for a long time, but are quite expensive. New mold – tangible costs for the enterprise.
2. High cost (relative to cement tiles). Expensive equipment and machines require careful handling. Moreover, the process is partially automated and consumes a lot of energy. Hence the high costs of personnel labor and the production process.

Price of polymer sand tiles

One square meter of such a tile costs about 15 cu. e. For comparison, a concrete analogue costs $ 10. e. (for 1 m²), vibropressed – 12 c.u. e. The cost of asphalt will not be given, it is too high. Undoubtedly, polymer tiles will “work out” every folded penny due to the quality and safety margin. Moreover, the quality characteristics are incorporated in the technology, and the cost of raw materials is so low (part of the raw materials is waste) that saving on proportions is meaningless. What can not be said about the consumption of expensive cement, the deficit of which in the products provides the concrete paving slabs with a bad name.

Laying polymer sand tiles

The procedure for laying polymer products does not fundamentally differ from other piece elements. To do this, you need the usual stacker kit: a mallet, cord, spatula, buckets, wheelbarrow and shovel. Preparation will take most of the time and effort – you will need a rammer.

Operating procedure:

1. Determine the horizon level of the top of the laid tile.
2. Break the “pie” of the base into layers – soil, drainage (crushed stone), preparation (sand or grit), base (grit).
3. If necessary, remove the soil to the desired level.
4. Fill in crushed stone (150-300 mm) and compact it with a vibratory rammer.
5. Fill up with sand or punching preparation (50-70 mm) and tamp.
6. Install curbs (if any).
7. Lay the tiles on a loose grill with a mallet along the cord.
8. After laying, push the harness into the slots and joints.
9. Spill the plane with water.

You can fully operate the laid area (put the car) in 3 days.

Replacing familiar and proven products and materials with new ones is not always justified. The novelty must prove its right to life. In the case of polymer sand tiles, this was achieved using the strength tests carried out; it showed advantageous differences from analogues. The reliability and durability of this tile ensures the integrity of the coating, a beautiful and unchanging appearance for many years..