Search Results (4)

The increasing demand for sustainable construction materials has underscored the limitations of conventional interlocking paving blocks (IPBs), particularly regarding durability, mechanical performance, and environmental impact. To overcome these shortcomings, this study proposes an integrated strategy of incorporating various waste materials in the production of IPBs namely: Untreated and surface-treated crumb rubber (CR) as a partial sand replacement at levels of 10%, and 20%; ceramic powder (CP) and glass powder (GP) as cement partial replacement at levels of 10%, 20%, and 30%, recycled ceramic as a full replacement of dolomite; and discrete fibers (basalt, polypropylene, and glass). A series of experimental tests was conducted to assess the slump, compressive and flexural strengths, water absorption, abrasion resistance, and microstructure of the proposed IPBs. The results of this study revealed that while untreated CR reduced workability and strength, it enhanced flexural resistance. Surface treatments of CR using CP and GP improved bonding and reduced porosity, with 20% CP yielding the best performances of 17.3% and 20% increases in compressive and flexural strength, respectively. Among fibers, 0.6% basalt fiber offered optimal strength and abrasion resistance (0.20 mm), while 0.6% polypropylene fiber achieved the lowest water absorption (3.70%) and a minimum abrasion depth of 0.28 mm at TR20CP mix. Microstructure analyses confirmed denser microstructure and stronger interfacial bonding in treated and fiber-reinforced mixes. This work offers a scalable, waste-based enhancement strategy for producing more durable and sustainable production of IPBs. Full article

The paper presents research on multicomponent glasses obtained from natural and secondary raw materials, i.e., basalt, amphibolite, and cullet. The raw materials were used as potential sets to produce mineral fibres or glass-ceramic materials. FTIR spectroscopy and XRD studies were carried out to identify the composition of the phase type in the glass sets. The results were supported by SEM-EDS microstructural studies of the obtained materials. The ability of the melts to crystallize and their basic properties required in producing mineral fibres, i.e., the hardness and the acidity modulus, were also determined. In the glass samples after the crystallization process, the spectroscopic studies revealed an increase in the half-width of the band at 1200–800 cm⁻¹ and splitting at the values of about 870 cm⁻¹ and 970 cm⁻¹. These changes probably indicate the formation of pyroxene-type crystalline phases. Moreover, based on the XRD results, it was confirmed that the obtained materials were fully amorphous. After annealing at 800 °C for 2 h, the materials show a small proportion of crystalline phases. For the materials annealed at higher temperatures, clear peaks from the crystalline phases were represented mainly by pyroxenes. The proportion of crystalline phases in the samples was also found to rise with increasing temperature, and the hardness values for the basalt glasses and glasses after crystallization rose from 753 to 946 HV0.05. Such an effect positively affects the properties of the obtained glass-ceramic materials based on the proposed sets. However, in the case of mineral fibres, crystallization at early 2 h at 800 °C can be a disadvantageous feature from the point of view of their application because crystalline phases can lead to fibre damage after a short period of operation; this will be confirmed in this study. Full article

Glass-ceramics acquired from the melting of rocks have a vast application marketplace. In this study, an olivine basalt rock from Zhangjiakou in China was selected as a raw material to prepare basalt glass-ceramics, and the crystallization kinetics of olivine basalt glass was investigated using differential thermal analysis. Polarizing microscope and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis results revealed that the main mineral compositions of olivine basalt are plagioclase, pyroxene, olivine, and iron oxide(s). Three crystallization peaks were observed in the DSC curve of the olivine basalt glass. The Avrami exponent (n), apparent activation energies for the crystallization, and glass transition of basalt glass were determined using the Owaza method based on data obtained from isothermal measurements. The crystallization activation energies (E) of the three crystallization peaks of olivine basalt glass were 314.20 kJ/mol, 1232.49 kJ/mol, and 696.89 kJ/mol, respectively. In addition to this, the crystal growth index indicated that the crystallization mode in the olivine basalt glass was surface crystallization. The crystallization phases and microstructure of the olivine basalt glass heated at 860 °C, 1100 °C, and 1180 °C were also studied. The conclusions obtained offer some useful information for the preparation of basalt glass-ceramics from olivine basalt rocks. Full article

This paper examines the possibility of using basalt-based glass ceramics for construction of structural parts of equipment in metallurgy and mining. An ultrasonic vibration method with a stationary sample pursuant to the ASTM G32 standard was used to evaluate the possibility of the glass ceramic samples application in such operating conditions. As the starting material for synthesis of samples, olivine–pyroxene basalt from the locality Vrelo–Kopaonik Mountain (Serbia) was used. In order to obtain pre-determined structure and properties of basalt-based glass ceramics, raw material preparation methods through the sample crushing, grinding, and mechanical activation processes have been examined together with sample synthesis by means of melting, casting, and thermal treatment applied for the samples concerned. The mass loss of samples in function of the cavitation time was monitored. Sample surface degradation level was quantified using the image analysis. During the test, changes in sample morphology were monitored by means of the scanning electronic microscopy method. The results showed that basalt-based glass ceramics are highly resistant to cavitation wear and can be used in similar exploitation conditions as a substitute for other metal materials. Full article