Characterization of polymer–quarry dust composite for structural applications

This study explores the utilization of quarry dust in producing polymer composite for roofing tiles application. Quarry dust was incorporated into high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP) in various weight proportions (5 %, 20 %, 40 %, 60 %, and 80 %). Experimental tests that were conducted include the melt flow index (MFI), microstructural analysis, water absorption, Shore D hardness, and Charpy impact strength. The PP+60 wt.% quarry dust had the highest MFI value of 24.5 g/10 min hence easy to process. The water absorption for 60 % and 80 wt.% composition was found to be significantly high as compared to other proportions. The Shore D hardness increases with an increase in the amount of quarry dust with the highest Shore D hardness value of 82 attained for samples having 80 wt.% quarry dust. For the impact strength, only 5 wt.% composition of quarry dust in both polymer composites had a higher value than the pure polymer with PP+5 wt.% quarry dust exhibiting a higher impact strength of 69.6 kJ/m². This work demonstrates that the properties of waste plastics can be improved by using quarry dust as reinforcement, suiting green construction applications such as the production of roofing tiles.