A hybrid additive for use in construction materials such as asphalt and concrete is disclosed. The additive includes pellets formed of a plastic or polymer material, and one or more of fibers, pozzolans, nano-carbon tubes, glass, recycled asphalt shingles (RAS), liquid anti-strip, hydrated lime, rejuvenators, cementitious material, and ground tire rubber. Also disclosed are hybrid composite materials useful as paving and building materials, and methods of making the same. The hybrid additives were found to maintain the positive performance aspects of typical asphalt and concrete mixtures, while improving the performance of the mixtures by increasing bonding and strength within the mixtureand therefore increasing useable life and lowering costs.

The present disclosure relates generally to shaped aggregate particles and reinforcement for concrete. Specifically, but without limitation, the disclosure relates to plastic shaped aggregate particles. The plastic shaped aggregate particles may be made of/from recycled plastic. Such shaped aggregate particles may contain recycled and non-recycled glass fibers and particles, silica, or similar materials and/or combinations. The morphologies of the shaped aggregate particles include, but are not limited to, spherical particles, spiral structures, elongated ellipsoids, fibers, connected structures, spherical burst patterns, or similar structures such as tetrahedrons, rectangular prisms, and pyramids. The shaped aggregate particles may be made of recycled plastic waste and used with and without discontinuous glass fibers and/or similar materials such as chopped glass fibers and glass particles, for use in concrete applications as a filler and support.

The present disclosure relates generally to shaped aggregate particles and reinforcement for concrete. Specifically, but without limitation, the disclosure relates to plastic shaped aggregate particles. The plastic shaped aggregate particles may be made of/from recycled plastic. Such shaped aggregate particles may contain recycled and non-recycled glass fibers and particles, silica, or similar materials and/or combinations. The morphologies of the shaped aggregate particles include, but are not limited to, spherical particles, spiral structures, elongated ellipsoids, fibers, connected structures, spherical burst patterns, or similar structures such as tetrahedrons, rectangular prisms, and pyramids. The shaped aggregate particles may be made of recycled plastic waste and used with and without discontinuous glass fibers and/or similar materials such as chopped glass fibers and glass particles, for use in concrete applications as a filler and support.

A method for preparing a silane coupling agent/silica/plant fiber composite includes the following steps: S1: pretreating plant fiber; S2: preparing hydrolysate of a silane coupling agent; S3: preparing a silane coupling agent/plant fiber composite; S4: preparing a silica nanoparticle dispersion; and S5: preparing a silane coupling agent/silica nanoparticle/plant fiber composite. Through the covalent interaction among a silanol group (SiOH) formed by hydrolysis of the silane coupling agent, SiOH of the silica, and a hydroxyl group (OH) on the surface of the plant fiber, the present invention enables silica nanoparticles to be grafted on the surface of the plant fiber. Using a hydrophobic film formed by the silane coupling agent, harmful ions are prevented from invading, and the volume stability of the fiber is improved. Using the pozzolanic activity of the silica nanoparticles, the alkalinity and calcium hydroxide content around the fiber are reduced.

A method for preparing a silane coupling agent/silica/plant fiber composite includes the following steps: S1: pretreating plant fiber; S2: preparing hydrolysate of a silane coupling agent; S3: preparing a silane coupling agent/plant fiber composite; S4: preparing a silica nanoparticle dispersion; and S5: preparing a silane coupling agent/silica nanoparticle/plant fiber composite. Through the covalent interaction among a silanol group (SiOH) formed by hydrolysis of the silane coupling agent, SiOH of the silica, and a hydroxyl group (OH) on the surface of the plant fiber, the present invention enables silica nanoparticles to be grafted on the surface of the plant fiber. Using a hydrophobic film formed by the silane coupling agent, harmful ions are prevented from invading, and the volume stability of the fiber is improved. Using the pozzolanic activity of the silica nanoparticles, the alkalinity and calcium hydroxide content around the fiber are reduced.

A composite material and process for forming composite material. The composite material comprises a quantity of plastinated plant distributed within a matrix material. The process comprises separating a plant material into plant fibers plastinating the plant fibers and combining the plastinated plant fibers with a matrix material. The plant fibers may be selected form the group consisting of bamboo, hemp and flax. The plant fibers may be formed by crushing a portion of a plant. The matrix material may comprise Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET). The PET may be shredded and heated. The heated composite material may be formed into rebar and be arranged in a pattern within a concrete slurry.

A composite material and process for forming composite material. The composite material comprises a quantity of plastinated plant distributed within a matrix material. The process comprises separating a plant material into plant fibers plastinating the plant fibers and combining the plastinated plant fibers with a matrix material. The plant fibers may be selected form the group consisting of bamboo, hemp and flax. The plant fibers may be formed by crushing a portion of a plant. The matrix material may comprise Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET). The PET may be shredded and heated. The heated composite material may be formed into rebar and be arranged in a pattern within a concrete slurry.

A plastinated plant material and method of preserving natural plant fibres. The plastinated plant material comprises reducing a plant material to a plant sample having a size smaller than the entire plant and plastinating said plant fibers by saturating said plant fibers in acetone to dehydrate said plant fibres, immersing said dehydrated plant fibres in a liquid polymer and subjecting said immersed plant fibres to a vacuum to replace acetone in said plant fibers with said liquid polymer.

A plastinated plant material and method of preserving natural plant fibres. The plastinated plant material comprises reducing a plant material to a plant sample having a size smaller than the entire plant and plastinating said plant fibers by saturating said plant fibers in acetone to dehydrate said plant fibres, immersing said dehydrated plant fibres in a liquid polymer and subjecting said immersed plant fibres to a vacuum to replace acetone in said plant fibers with said liquid polymer.