MORPHOLOGICAL, MECHANICAL, THERMAL AND TRIBOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS: RECYCLED LDPE COMPOSITES FILLED BY BLAST FURNACE DUST

ABSTRACT

This study focused on developing a sustainable composite material using metallic wastes of the iron-steel industry and plastic wastes of the plastic industry in order to reduce resultant waste from the production processes of various industrial products and to sustain waste management of these industries. In this study, different amounts of blast furnace dust (BFD), which is the major iron-steel industry waste and is used as filler for recycled low-density polyethylene (LDPE), was mixed with LDPE to produce the composite material. The morphology, mechanical, vicat softening temperature thermal conductivity, hardness and wear resistance properties of BFD filled LDPE composites were assessed. The increasing of BFD in recycled LDPE improved the heat resistance, increased thermal conductivity and wear resistance of composite materials. In addition, it was found that the composite materials had sufficient mechanical properties, when mechanical tests were evaluated. These results showed that the produced composite material could be used in buildings as a floor coating material and thereby saving raw materials and resources, as well as potentially reducing environmental problems.