Preparation and characterization of polymer concrete from slate, granite and kaolin wastes minerals

The use of polymer concrete in the construction sector, together with the use of waste from nearby quarries, is an excellent alternative to traditional concrete to help achieve sustainability and environmental objectives. In this work, polymer concrete samples were prepared using a vinyl ester resin as binder and slate, granite and kaolin wastes as mineral fillers. The proportion between the components was varied, as well as the combination of mineral fillers, to study the viability of these wastes for the manufacture of polymer concrete. The influence of these factors on their processing, densification and mechanical properties of these materials has also been investigated. In addition to the rheological characterization of the resin, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) techniques were used to study the morphology and characterization of the other components; the mechanical behavior of these materials has also been studied through their hardness, compressive strength and flexural strength properties. The results obtained will help to optimize the proportions of resin and fillers used in the production of polymer concrete, as well as the convenience of using certain combinations of these mineral fillers to obtain quality materials. All this will contribute to improving the use and management of quarry waste, as well as minimizing environmental impact and saving on production costs.