Characterization of Ceramic Composite Waste of Granite, Marble and Caulim for Production of Coating Plates

The mining industry generates large amounts of waste resulting in a very strong environmental impact. Its reuse in ceramic matrix composites are used as coating for floors that have high strength properties with low porosity due to the addition of a structuring polyester resin . This perspective, this work aims at the use of waste generated in the exploration and kaolin processing industries , and solid waste from the cutting of ornamental marble and granite , studying their properties in anticipation of production of coating plates . The residues were benefited by using the process of dry grinding in mill gauges and passed through sieve 0.074 mm ( No. 200 ABNT ) . Were performed on composites testing technology ( water absorption , apparent porosity , bulk density and flexural strength ) and microstructural ( Scanning Electron Microscopy - SEM) . The results showed that the composites showed water absorption ≤ 0.5 having no direct relationship with the porosity , which showed strength within the required standards ( ABNT 13,816 ) for coating plates . Variations in composition ( resin / residue ) showed that composites with higher strength and increased amount of waste resin showed less porous structure , a fact which can be attributed to a better adherence of these residues to the polymer resin and a process of mixing the components more efficient , showing the viability of its production having demonstrated satisfactory properties.