Marble waste reinforced composite with tunable physico-mechanical and thermal properties: micromechanical simulation assisted experimental investigation

This paper investigates the development of waste marble dust-reinforced particulate composites through an integrated approach of investigation. Samples of marble-epoxy composites were prepared with systematic variations in filler content to achieve tunable mechanical, physical, and thermal properties. Increasing ceramic filler's loading level resulted in superior properties of composite samples, as demonstrated by macroscale characterization such as compressive and flexural strength. Microstructural characterizations such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis were used to better understand the results. FT-IR results indicate chemical linkages forming between the epoxy resin and marble dust in the composite, while FE-SEM images suggest strong interfacial bonding between filler and matrix. TGA analysis shows enhancement of thermal properties with increasing filler content, while XRD indicates enhancement of crystallinity. Micro-mechanical modeling using the representative volume element (RVE) approach was also carried out using a commercial simulation package, determining Young's modulus and comparing it with experimental results.

Automated summary

This paper investigates the development of waste marble dust-reinforced particulate composites through an integrated approach of investigation. The study demonstrates that increasing the ceramic filler's loading level in marble-epoxy composites leads to superior properties, such as compressive and flexural strength. Microstructural characterizations using various techniques reveal chemical linkages forming between the epoxy resin and marble dust, strong interfacial bonding between filler and matrix, enhancement of thermal properties, and increased crystallinity. Micro-mechanical modeling using the representative volume element (RVE) approach is also performed to determine Young's modulus and validate experimental results.