Study on the reuse of marble and andesite wastes in epoxy-based composites

Andesite- (AW) and marble-dust wastes (MW) were recycled to be used in composite preparation. Both were obtained from local industrial sources. Commercially available epoxy resin (ER) and its modified version with polyaniline (PANI) were used as the neat polymer matrix. The dispersion of the fillers was investigated by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The effects of PANI and waste loading on the mechanical, thermal, electrical, water sorption, and corrosion properties were investigated. The optimum loading levels for MW or AW in the composites were found to be 20 wt%. Using thermogravimetric analyses, thermal behavior and stability of the composites prepared were probed. The incorporation of PANI and waste fillers increased the T-10 temperature by 10-33 degrees C and the tensile strength by 4-51 MPa of neat ER. The composites containing 10-30 wt% AW filler were found to be semiconductive and electrical conductivity decreased with the increase in AW content. The PANI-ER/AW composite showed perfect resistance to corrosion and also exhibited the best adhesion. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:3081-3091, 2018. (c) 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers