Assessment of Artificial Ornamental Stone Characteristics Produced from Limestone Quarries Waste and Epoxy Resin

Abstract

Ornamental stones industry produces huge amounts of different types of wastes. It can be presented during quarrying (sometimes due to its worth blockability) and / or during sawing which produces large amounts of dust. These wastes may cause great environmental and healthy hazards. Recently, many studies aim to reuse quarries waste to increase their economic values through producing artificial ornamental stones (AOS). AOS is a glazed surface characterized by very low porosity and stains resistance. Also, AOS can be more durable than natural quarried marble .It is also more resistant to stains, wear and damaging effects of house hold chemicals. In this study, AOS plates were produced using two different limestone quarry wastes and epoxy resin. The casted specimens were tested for, physico-mechanical, thermal conductivity, thermo Gravimetric analysis (TGA/Dr.TGA), Fourier-Transform infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) as well as its durability against salt crystallization and color stability with temperature rising. The produced AOS presented properties comply with values of natural ornamental stones applied in civil construction.