RECYCLING OF MARBLE CALCITE WASTE INTO USEFUL ARTIFICIAL MARBLE

Abstract

Artificial stone production by incorporating calcite marble waste in epoxy resin is a technical and economical method. A huge amount of waste is annually generated during marble processing in Egypt. This study aims at evaluating the mechanical and physical properties of produced artificial marble based on calcite marble waste as load, epoxy resin and lime powder as a filler. The results confirmed that the produced artificial stones have physical and mechanical properties within the expected range for these kinds of materials. Artificial marble with a maximum flexural strength of 21.79 MPa, maximum compressive strength of 89.26 MPa, water absorption 0.01% and a satisfactory adhesion between load and resin were obtained. Using lime powder as a filler represents an enhancement in the produced artificial marble mechanical properties. Lime powder is very cheap in El-Minia region in Egypt and to the best of our knowledge has not been used for artificial marble production before. The materials produced can be used as an alternative material for civil construction applications.