Characterization of polymer–quarry dust composite for structural applications

Abstract

This study explores the utilization of quarry dust in producing polymer composite for roofing tiles application. Quarry dust was incorporated into high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP) in various weight proportions (5 %, 20 %, 40 %, 60 %, and 80 %). Experimental tests that were conducted include the melt flow index (MFI), microstructural analysis, water absorption, Shore D hardness, and Charpy impact strength. The PP+60 wt.% quarry dust had the highest MFI value of 24.5 g/10 min hence easy to process. The water absorption for 60 % and 80 wt.% composition was found to be significantly high as compared to other proportions. The Shore D hardness increases with an increase in the amount of quarry dust with the highest Shore D hardness value of 82 attained for samples having 80 wt.% quarry dust. For the impact strength, only 5 wt.% composition of quarry dust in both polymer composites had a higher value than the pure polymer with PP+5 wt.% quarry dust exhibiting a higher impact strength of 69.6 kJ/m2 . This work demonstrates that the properties of waste plastics can be improved by using quarry dust as reinforcement, suiting green construction applications such as the production of roofing tiles.