A Decorative Construction Material Preparedby Making Use of Marble Waste Granules

Abstract

Innovative nanocomposite acrylic sheets incorporated withmarble waste granules (MWG) were prepared by free radicalpolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA). The study ofphysicomechanical properties showed an improvement of adhesionbetween PMMA/SiO2 nanocomposites and (MWG). The introductionof SiO2 nanoparticles induced an extraordinary improvement ofthe abrasion resistance of PMMA matrix. The modulii of elasticities,maximum strain, impact absorbed energy and scratch resistanceare explained on the basis of (MWG) porosity andadhesion. The manufactured nanocomposite sheets are cost effectivein comparison with natural marble and possess the ability to havewide range of wonderful colors due to the inclusion of marble stones in a polymer matrix. In addition, the sheets display other specificproperties such as light weight, color stability, electric insulation,low flammability, low water absorption and excellent mechanicalproperties.