Abstract
Nowadays, asbestos waste still remains a serious problem. Due to the carcinogenic properties of asbestos, which are related to its fibrous structure, the exposure to asbestos mineral and asbestos-containing materials (ACM) causes dangerous health effects. This problem can be solved by recycling techniques, which allow the re-use of neutralized asbestos waste, instead of disposing it in special landfills. The article presents the results of research aimed at investigating the possibility of obtaining aggregates from asbestos waste by the fusion process in the electric arc-resistance process. A mixture of ACM with selected fluxes was were melted and then cast to form a grain of aggregates. The chemical composition of the material was determined before and after the melting process. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were applied to evaluate the effects of the fusion process. The main properties of the obtained aggregate were also measured. The results confirmed that the fibrous structure of asbestos was destroyed in the obtained material, which can be successfully used for the production of artificial aggregates.
Highlights
Asbestos is the commercial name of a specific group of minerals, which occur in nature and belong to hydrated silicates containing mainly magnesium, sodium, calcium, and iron
The results confirmed that the fibrous structure of asbestos was destroyed in the obtained material, which can be successfully used for the production of artificial aggregates
The following materials were selected for the study: (1) Cement-asbestos waste board was used as a representative of asbestos-containing material (ACM)—it was very popular as a construction material for various buildings and systems in the second half of the twentieth century
Summary
Asbestos is the commercial name of a specific group of minerals, which occur in nature and belong to hydrated silicates containing mainly magnesium, sodium, calcium, and iron. These minerals are characterized by a specific crystalline structure, which in the microscopic examination is visible as a fibrous form. The characteristic fibrous structure of asbestos allows easy longitudinal splitting of thicker fibres, whereas transverse splitting of fibres is quite difficult, and results in their exceptional elasticity and high mechanical strength. The specific physical and chemical properties of asbestos, including its resistance to high temperatures and caustic substances, as well as the low costs of its obtaining (mining) has resulted in it commonly used in many branches of economy in the past. Due to its non-biodegradability and resistance to the attack of various agents, asbestos is a material difficult to destroy and, once placed in the environment, it can remain there for hundreds of years
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