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Open AccessArticle
An Experimental Investigation into the Performance of Concrete and Mortar with Partial Replacement of Fine Aggregate by Printed Circuit Board (PCB) E-Waste
by
Srinivasan Krishnan
Srinivasan Krishnan
Sai Gopal Krishna Bhagavatula
Sai Gopal Krishna Bhagavatula 
,
Jayanarayanan Karingamanna
Jayanarayanan Karingamanna
Mini K. Madhavan
Mini K. Madhavan
1
Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Amrita School of Engineering, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore 641112, India
2
Department of Civil Engineering, Amrita School of Engineering, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore 641112, India
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Recycling 2025, 10(4), 138; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling10040138 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 31 May 2025
/
Revised: 9 July 2025
/
Accepted: 10 July 2025
/
Published: 12 July 2025
Abstract
The increasing accumulation of E-waste presents significant environmental challenges, particularly its disposal and resource management. The present study investigates the potential of printed circuit boards (PCBs) as a partial replacement for fine aggregates in cement mortar and concrete. The replacement levels of PCBs ranged from 0 to 35 wt% in cement mortar and from 0 to 30 wt% in concrete, aiming to improve the qualities of both mixes. The specimens were cured for 7 and 28 days, respectively, followed by tests to evaluate the flowability and static mechanical properties. The performance of the developed mortar/concrete was analyzed under aggressive environmental conditions by conducting various durability tests. Properties such as acoustic and thermal conductivity were also evaluated to check the suitability of the developed material for its multifunctionality. Test results revealed that the optimal replacement percentages of fine aggregate by PCBs in mortar and concrete mixes were 25 wt% and 20 wt%, respectively. A decline in mechanical properties was observed after a further increase in replacement level. The results demonstrate the feasibility of E-waste integration in cement and mortar as a sustainable waste management solution.
Share and Cite
MDPI and ACS Style
Krishnan, S.; Bhagavatula, S.G.K.; Karingamanna, J.; Madhavan, M.K.
An Experimental Investigation into the Performance of Concrete and Mortar with Partial Replacement of Fine Aggregate by Printed Circuit Board (PCB) E-Waste. Recycling 2025, 10, 138.
https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling10040138
AMA Style
Krishnan S, Bhagavatula SGK, Karingamanna J, Madhavan MK.
An Experimental Investigation into the Performance of Concrete and Mortar with Partial Replacement of Fine Aggregate by Printed Circuit Board (PCB) E-Waste. Recycling. 2025; 10(4):138.
https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling10040138
Chicago/Turabian Style
Krishnan, Srinivasan, Sai Gopal Krishna Bhagavatula, Jayanarayanan Karingamanna, and Mini K. Madhavan.
2025. "An Experimental Investigation into the Performance of Concrete and Mortar with Partial Replacement of Fine Aggregate by Printed Circuit Board (PCB) E-Waste" Recycling 10, no. 4: 138.
https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling10040138
APA Style
Krishnan, S., Bhagavatula, S. G. K., Karingamanna, J., & Madhavan, M. K.
(2025). An Experimental Investigation into the Performance of Concrete and Mortar with Partial Replacement of Fine Aggregate by Printed Circuit Board (PCB) E-Waste. Recycling, 10(4), 138.
https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling10040138
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