The present study aims at studying the possibility of compounding polyethylene using
stone cutting solid waste (lime stone powder). Stone cutting waste powder (SCWP)
mainly consists of calcium carbonate is usually disposed in open fields, roadside,
sewage and agricultural land leading to several environmental and health problems.
Samples of SCWP were collected and screened into different sizes. Polyethylene was
compounded with the SCWP using an extruder and the compounded product was
thermally pressed into sheets using thermal press machine. The mechanical and
thermal properties of the resulting sheets were tested.
The results showed that the melt flow index of the composite sheets increases with
decreasing the SCWP size, whereas it decreases with increasi
elastic modules of the composites increased with increasing the SCWP content whereas
the tensile strength decreased. The elastic modulus decreases dramatically with
increasing the particle size of the SCWP up to a certain particle
which it starts increasing with increasing the particle size. The addition of the SCWP
improved crystallinity of the composites, however very high SCWP content disrupted
the crystalline structure of polymer. The maximum value of melt
g/min), tensile strength (11 MPa) and degree of crystallinity (53%) were obtained with
the sample prepared with 30% w/w of 0.15 mm SCWP particles. On the other hand, the
maximum elastic modulus value of (490 MPa) was obtained with the sampl
with 60% w/w of 0.15 mm SCWP.
The main conclusion of the current study is that SCWP can be successfully utilized in
improving the mechanical and thermal properties of polyethylene which helps in
reducing the environmental impact of SCWP.