Characterization of Volcano-Sedimentary Rocks and Related Scraps for Design of Sustainable Materials

This work started as a joint academia and company research project with the aim of finding new applications for domestically sourced volcanic products and related waste (pumice, lapillus, zeolitic tuff and volcanic debris from Tessennano and Arlena quarry) by creating a database of secondary volcanic raw materials and their intrinsic characteristics to help industry replace virgin materials and enhance circularity. In this context, accurate chemical, mineralogical, morphological, granulometric and thermal characterizations were performed. Based on the results presented, it can be concluded that due to their lightness, these materials can be used in the design and preparation of lightweight aggregates for agronomic purposes or in the construction field. Furthermore, due to their aluminosilicate nature and amorphous fraction, pumice and lapillus can play the role of precursor or activator for geopolymer preparation. With its porous nature, zeolitic tuff can be exploited for flue gas treatment. Due to the presence of feldspathic phase (sanidine), these materials can be used in tile production as a fluxing component, and with their pozzolanic activity and calcium content, they have application in the binder field as supplementary cementitious material or as aggregates.

Automated summary

This research aimed to find new applications for domestically sourced volcanic products and related waste by creating a database of secondary volcanic raw materials and their characteristics. The materials can be used in lightweight aggregates for agronomic purposes or in the construction field. Pumice and lapillus can play a role in geopolymer preparation, while zeolitic tuff can be used for flue gas treatment. These materials also have applications in tile production and as supplementary cementitious material or aggregates.