A Decorative Construction Material Prepared by Making Use of Marble

Abstract

Innovative nanocomposite acrylic sheets incorporated with marble waste granules (MWG) were prepared by free radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA). The study of physicomechanical properties showed an improvement of adhesion between PMMA/SiO2 nanocomposites and (MWG). The introduction of SiO2 nanoparticles induced an extraordinary improvement of the abrasion resistance of PMMA matrix. The modulii of elasticities, maximum strain, impact absorbed energy and scratch resistance are explained on the basis of (MWG) porosity and adhesion. The manufactured nanocomposite sheets are cost effective in comparison with natural marble and possess the ability to have wide range of wonderful colors due to the inclusion of marble stones in a polymer matrix. In addition, the sheets display other specific properties such as light weight, color stability, electric insulation, low flammability, low water absorption and excellent mechanical properties.