Incorporating marble sludge in laying mortars and their microstructural, thermal, mechanical, and chemical characteristics

The processing of dimension stones is responsible for a large generation of waste. The cutting and polishing phase is carried out with the aid of running water and ends up generating a specific type of waste called marble work sludge or abrasive sludge (contaminant residue), composed of a mixture of powder from different types of rocks, water and remains of abrasive elements. The objective of this study was to evaluate the affect of replacing cement with marble waste in the cement matrix. The sludge was collected and treated for use in mortars. The physical characterization of the materials was carried out using laser granulometry and specific mass. Microstructural analysis was carried out using the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and chemical characterization was carried out using energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX). the chemical analysis of the mortars was carried out using X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry analysis was carried out (FRX). To understand the thermal behavior of the residue, thermogravimetric analysis of the abrasive sludge was also carried out using STA, obtaining TGA, DTG, and DSC. After the physical, chemical and microstructural characterization of the materials, mortars were made with replacement if cement with sludge abrasive in proportions of 10 %, 15 % and 20 %. The results of this research indicate the possibility of substitution of up to 10 % of cement for abrasive sludge without compromising the mechanical performance of the mortars.