Reuse Of Industrial Wastes Research Articles

Epoxy composite materials filled with rice husk ash

The present research responds to two current tendencies, such as circular economy, involving reuse of industrial waste, and green chemistry, presupposing application of renewable resources and technologies, which minimize the negative environmental impact. The present article is dedicated to the study of the application of rice husk and its ash as a filled for epoxy composite materials. Rice husk represents a multi-tonnage agricultural by-product, subject to recycling, and at the same time, is a valuable source of amorphous silica. Temperature regime of rice husk ash (RHA) production, optimum content and particle size of filler providing maximum modifying effect were determined. The influence of modifying fillers on the complex of operational properties of filled epoxy compositions including hardness, wear resistance, adhesion to steel and aluminium and antifriction properties of epoxy coatings has been established. A comparative analysis of the properties of modified compositions with non-filled ones and with compositions filled with fully amorphous silica, including industrial analogue Aerosil 300, has been carried out. It has been established that the best compatibility with polymer epoxy matrix is possessed by rice husk ash obtained at the combustion temperature of 500оC introduced in the amount of 10 mass parts per 100 mass parts of epoxy polymer.

Investigation of the Dewatering Process with Geotextile Tubes by Sedimentation, One- and Two-Dimensional Filtration Test Methods

AbstractDewatering applications are carried out with geotextile tubes for the disposal or reuse of industrial wastes with high water content. Class F Seyitomer thermal power plant fly ash, an industrial waste, was selected in this study. Turbidity, sedimentation and filtration experiments were carried out using anionic and cationic polymers and polypropylene synthetic fiber to investigate the effect of polymers and fibers on the dewatering of fly ash. The use of polymers was determined to significantly accelerate filtration and soil sedimentation speed while leading to a slight increase in the volume of the filter cake. When effective polymer and dosage are used, slurry filtration time can be reduced up to one-eighth of the time and dewatering can be achieved much faster. The addition of synthetic fiber accelerated the sedimentation of the slurry and increased the filtration in the vertical direction, while it did not show a significant effect on the total filtration in two-dimensional filtration. In geotextile tube applications, although one-dimensional filtration experiments might give misleading results in terms of estimating the effectiveness of the polymers used in solid–liquid separation and dewatering times, the jar test, sedimentation and two-dimensional filtration experiments were determined to give compatible and more realistic results. In two-dimensional filtration experiments, approximately 75% of the filtration occurred in the radial direction and the dewatering time was approximately 21–55% of the time estimated by one-dimensional filtration experiment. Geotextile tube dewatering design can be made more predictable and cost-effective in the field by performing small-scale laboratory experiments with the two-dimensional filtration test system designed for this study and various dewatering applications.

Performance of Iron Ore Tailings/Cement Composite at High Temperatures: Inconbustibility

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the performance of an iron ore tailings/cement composite at high temperatures, used in brick manufacturing. Specifically, it investigates the non-combustibility of the material and its structural integrity after exposure to intense heat, with an emphasis on compressive strength and the economic and sustainable viability of this composite. Theoretical Framework: The research is based on concepts of sustainability in civil construction and the reuse of industrial waste. The literature highlights the synergy between iron ore tailings and Portland cement, resulting in materials with good durability and non-combustibility. Previous studies indicate a reduction in environmental impact and the economic feasibility of using these composites as substitutes for traditional materials, in addition to the importance of maintaining structural strength under extreme conditions. Method: The adopted methodology involves the manufacture of test specimens using CP V-ARI cement and iron ore tailings, molded and cured according to Brazilian standards. Non-combustibility tests are conducted in a muffle furnace at 750°C, measuring temperature variation, smoke emission, and mass loss. Additionally, compressive strength tests are conducted before and after heat exposure to assess material degradation. Results and Discussion: The results indicate that the composite exhibits satisfactory non-combustibility properties, with an average mass loss of 3.1%, well below the permissible limit of 50%. However, a significant loss of 67.5% in compressive strength was observed after exposure to high temperatures. The discussion contextualizes these results, highlighting the need to optimize the composition to minimize strength loss, although non-combustibility remains a positive aspect. Research Implications: Practical implications include the potential use of the composite in environments subject to high temperatures, as a passive fire protection measure. Theoretically, the research contributes to the understanding of the behavior of cementitious composites with industrial waste under extreme conditions, suggesting directions for future studies and applications in civil engineering and sustainable construction. Originality/Value: This study makes an original contribution by exploring the specific combination of iron ore tailings with cement at high temperatures, providing new insights into its applicability and limitations. The relevance of the research lies in the potential reduction of environmental impact and the promotion of sustainable practices in civil construction, as well as enhancing fire safety in buildings.

Resource potential of dust entrainment of asphalt-concrete plants

In the modern construction industry, the problem of finding materials with increased stability that would provide minimal environmental impact with optimal economic efficiency is urgent. Considering global trends in the field of ecology and sustainable development, attention is focused on recycling and reuse of industrial waste. Of particular interest is the pulverized material formed during the operation of asphalt concrete plants. In this paper, the potential of integrating this type of waste as an alternative construction resource is studied. This article focuses on the urgent need to adapt the principles of sustainability in construction practice through the integration of materials with minimal environmental footprint. The key aspect of the study is the concept of recycling of pulverized waste from asphalt concrete production, which can help optimize the resource potential and reduce the environmental burden on the ecosystem. The study examines various dust compositions obtained from asphalt plants of different operating principles. The morphology of particles and the bitumen capacity parameter were investigated. It was found that by replacing up to 50% of mineral powder with carryover dust, there can be a significant environmental and economic impact for the road construction industry.

Application of Genetic Algorithm in Optimization Simulation of Industrial Waste Land Reuse

In order to better understand the application of optimization simulation for industrial waste land reuse, the author proposes an application study based on nonlinear genetic algorithm in the optimization simulation of industrial waste land reuse. The author takes the landscape renovation and reuse of industrial waste sites as the research object, and through research on the current situation of landscape renovation and reuse of industrial waste sites both domestically and internationally, as well as on-site inspections, attempts to use landscape design techniques to deal with this once glorious but destructive industrial landscape that has already declined. Secondly, a genetic algorithm for enhancing the timeliness of industrial waste land reuse is proposed, which is based on random walks, combine users' long-term and short-term preferences to calculate the most suitable Top-N industrial waste land reuse optimization model for the current period. Finally, the two algorithms proposed by the author were experimentally validated on the dataset. In the CiteU Like dataset, the best performance was achieved at a=0.4, while in the JD dataset, the best performance was achieved at a=0.6. When k=6, the hit rate significantly decreases by about 50%. The URT-R genetic algorithm exhibits a high recommendation hit rate in recommendations targeting timeliness. The author analyzed the different characteristics of industrial waste reuse in scenic areas and optimized their essence and transformation methods, further improving the transformation and renewal methods of industrial waste land in the process of urban development in China. I hope to provide useful references for future research on related topics and practices.

Investigation of Tribological Properties of Brake Friction Materials Developed from Industrial Waste Products

Various international initiatives on environmental issues and the need to protect the environment are promoting the use of industrial waste in a variety of applications, including automotive brake pads. These studies show that the reuse of industrial waste can help to reduce the environmental impact. The development of environmentally friendly and cost-effective composites for use in a variety of engineering applications is the need of the century. The use of industrial waste in composite production is a possible solution for both problems. In this study, the potential use of talc, quartz and ceramic waste FFC fracture as a friction modifier in brake friction materials and its performance properties in accordance with industry requirements were investigated. The tribological, physical and mechanical properties of the brake pads were measured, and the friction surface morphology was investigated by scanning electron microscopy. According to the results obtained, the highest specific wear rate was observed in the FM3 sample. The FM2 sample with the highest hardness and average friction coefficient showed the lowest wear. FM4, FM5 and FM6 samples with high talc and quartz content exhibited low coefficient of friction characteristics compared to other samples.

Evaluation of mechanical, physical and chemical properties of ecological modular soil-alkali activated bricks without Portland cement

With the growth of civil construction materials to mitigate environmental impacts and meet technical demands, modular soil-cement bricks have emerged as an alternative construction material in Brazil due to economic, social, and environmental reasons. However, the composition of Portland cement still generates environmental impacts due to CO2 emissions. Thus, this study aimed to produce modular bricks through alkali activation in real scale using a mixture of clay soil and sand, metakaolin (M) or blast furnace slag (BFS) as precursors, NaOH solution as a simple activator, or compound with hydrated lime. Thermal curing effects were analyzed. Water absorption, compressive strength, XRF, XRD, SEM and EDS analysis were performed, as well as Life Cycle Analysis (LCA). All bricks presented suitable water absorption values according to Brazilian standards. Groups with metakaolin and simple activator presented the lowest compressive strength since an incomplete geopolymerization was verified; however, when a compound activator was used, the compressive strength was highly increased. The BFS group presented the best overall performance under water absorption and compressive strength with mean values of 3.6 MPa and 13.4%, respectively. Microstructural analyses confirmed the development of microstructures such as Zeolite, Calcite and Hydrated Calcium Silicate from the alkali activation reactions. Alkali activated bricks presented at least 35% less CO2 emissions compared to ceramic bricks in LCA. Modular bricks made with MK or BFS and compound activator met all the requirements for their use, showing that these mixtures can be an alternative for sustainable brick production, with the reuse of industrial waste instead of Portland cement incorporation.

Highly efficient catalytic ozonation degradation of levofloxacin by facile hydrogenation-modified red mud wastes

Iron-rich red mud (RM) is a potential catalyst. However, as industrial waste, is strongly alkaline, low effectiveness, and safety concerns are problems that cannot be ignored, it is urgent to mine out a reasonable disposal and utilization technology for the waste. In this study, an effective catalyst (H-RM) was obtained by facile hydrogenation heating modification of red mud. Then above-prepared H-RM was applied in the catalytic ozonation degradation of levofloxacin (LEV). The H-RM exhibited more remarkable catalytic activities than the RM in terms of LEV degradation, and the optimal efficiency can reach over 90% within 50 min. The mechanism experiment proved that the concentration of dissolved ozone and hydroxyl radical (•OH) significantly increased, which enhanced the oxidation effect. Hydroxyl radical played a dominant role in the degradation of LEV. In the safety test, it is concluded that the concentration of total hexavalent chromium (total Cr(Ⅵ)) in the H-RM catalyst decreases and the leaching concentration of water-soluble Cr(Ⅵ) in aqueous solution is low. The results indicated that the hydrogenation technique is an available Cr (Ⅵ) detoxification method for RM. Moreover, the H-RM has excellent catalytic stability, which is beneficial to recycling and maintains high activity. This research provides an effective means to fulfill the reuse of industrial waste as an alternative to standard raw materials, and comprehensive utilization of the waste to attain the purpose of treating pollution with wastes.

Utilization of ceramic waste as a partial replacement for cement in concrete manufacturing

Consumption of natural resources and efficient reuse of industrial waste are the two most promising and possible solutions for sustainable growth and a cleaner environment. Ceramic waste is among the most prominent fields of study, spanning several disciplines such as construction and building materials. Every year, a considerable number of ceramic products are demolished, along with a substantial volume of by-product trash from ceramic manufacture. The Ceramic Waste Powder (CWP) settles because of sedimentation and then penetrates and pollutes the environment. The utilization of ceramic waste powder in concrete would enable the manufacturing of ecologically friendly and cost-effective concrete. The production of cement produces CO2, which contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. In this study, Ceramic Waste Powder was used to substitute OPC 53 grade cement in quantities of 10%, 20%, 25%, and 30% by weight for concrete of M30 grade with a water-cement ratio of 0.43. The concrete mixtures were prepared, tested, and compared to standard concrete for compressive strength. The compressive strength of the concrete was found to be 41.22 N/mm2 when 25% of the cement was replaced with Ceramic Waste Powder, resulting in a 14.89% cost reduction for produced concrete compared to ordinary concrete.

Incorporating Industrial By-Products into Geopolymer Mortar: Effects on Strength and Durability.

In recent years, the reuse of industrial waste has become increasingly important for sustainable development. Therefore, this study investigated the application of granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS) as a cementitious replacement material in fly-ash-based geopolymer mortar containing silica fume (GMS). The performance changes in the GMS samples manufactured with different GBFS ratios (0-50 wt%) and alkaline activators were evaluated. The results indicated that GBFS replacement from 0 wt% to 50 wt% significantly affects GMS performance, including improving the bulk density from 2235 kg/m3 to 2324 kg/m3, flexural-compressive strength from 5.83 MPa to 7.29 MPa and 63.5 MPa to 80.2 MPa, respectively; a decrease in water absorption and chloride penetration, and an improvement in the corrosion resistance of GMS samples. The GMS mixture containing 50 wt% GBFS demonstrated the best performances with notable results regarding strength and durability. Owing to the increased production of C-S-H gel, the microstructure of the GMS sample containing more GBFS was denser, as obtained via the scanning electron micrograph analysis results. Incorporating the three industrial by-products into geopolymer mortars was verified when all samples were determined to be in accordance with the relevant Vietnamese standards. The results demonstrate a promising method to manufacture geopolymer mortars that aid sustainable development.

Study on the Mechanical Characteristics of Urban Sludge Solidified by Industrial Waste

Urban sludge is an extensive volume with a prominent environmental impact. The research explored an application technology for converting urban sludge into a usable improved soil resource by using industrial waste, providing a new reference for the reuse of industrial waste. In this study, three industrial wastes, namely ground granulated blast slag, calcium carbide residue, and desulfurized gypsum, were used as curing agents to solidify the urban sludge. Based on the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) test and chamber analysis, the effects of curing agent dosing and maintenance age of sludge-cured soil on the UCS and stress- strain were studied. The results showed that with the increase of curing agent, the UCS of cured soil first increased and then decreased, and the breaking strain showed a decreasing trend. The optimum ratio of materials was sludge: calcium carbide residue: ground granulated blast slag: desulfurization gypsum = 100:15:15:5, record this material ratio as C15G15D5. Moreover, trials showed that C15G15D5 cured the sludge soil better than the cement alone, which achieved the purpose of reusing the three industrial wastes and urban sludge. It was analyzed that the hydrated calcium silicate (C-S-H), calcium aluminate (C-A-H) and ettringite (AFt) in the hydration products were produced to make the soil skeleton stronger and enhance the strength of the sludge-cured soil.

Industrial waste reuse: An alternative source to reduced graphene oxide for preparing electrochemical sensors

Development of sustainable electroanalytical platforms based on recovering approaches has great importance, once that they aim to minimize waste and increase reusing/recycling efforts, as well as engage the circular economy. This work converted an industrial waste carbon source to a recycled reduced graphene oxide (r-rGO) using a cost effective wide scale synthesis. The r-rGO was characterized by SEM, XRD, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopy techniques and as a proof-of-concept the new material was applied as electrode modifier for paracetamol (PAR) electroanalytical determination in tablets. The simple, easy and rapid technique of drop casting a suspension solution of r-rGO, was used to prepare the surface of a chemically modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) forming a r-rGO/GCE sensor. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) was optimized and applied successfully in the paracetamol determination with a linear range of 60–500 μmol L−1 and detection limit of 0.28 μmol L−1. Then, two commercialy avaliable paracetamol tablets were used, with a minimum sample preparation, achieving recoveries of 99.43% and 100.47%. A HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography) comparative method was performed obtaining recoveries of 100.92% and 101.00%. Finally, the obtained results demonstrate that the r-rGO/GCE sensor can be a promising alternative for the quantitative determination of PAR in pharmaceutical formulations.

The new industrial cities and resources sustainability - case study: industrial zone in Ramady city

The modern industrial projects and complexes that adopt ecological systems, and renewable, clean and environmentally friendly energy, not only contribute to the development of an environmentally friendly production method but can achieve long-term economic and industrial development by preserving environmental resources. The ecological industrial systems and modern industrial technologies are the ideal solutions to rationalize excessive use and preserve the elements of the environment and natural resources, the most important of which is the existence of several methods and programs for the development of industrial sites, and there is important to adopt mechanisms and programs to solve the problems of traditional industries to reach industrial techniques characterized by rationalization, reduction in the depletion of natural resources, the most important of which is the triple system (reduction, recycling, and reuse of industrial waste) and other eco-systems. By applying the indicators to the study area in the new industrial city in Ramady, it was found that there is a weakness in the application of the indicators and did not achieve the required level. It becomes clear to us the need to take into account the activation of these indicators to reach the achievement within the industrial city.

VALORIZATION OF PHOSPHOGYPSUM IN UKRAINE BY CREATING COMPOSITE MATERIALS FOR STRUCTURAL LAYERS OF ROAD PAVEMENT

Ukraine's transition to an energy-efficient economy as part of its overall transformation to EU standards is a difficult but crucial challenge. The country's post-war recovery will involve modernizing the entire infrastructure in line with EU sustainable development standards. In particular, the road sector, being the most resource-intensive in construction, must be in line with the goals of the European Green Deal, namely: reducing greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the extraction and processing of natural resources, implementing the principles of the circular economy, achieving economic growth by maximizing the substitution of natural materials for man-made waste, minimizing negative environmental impact and using advanced green technologies (Natsionalna ekonomichna stratehiia, 2021). Promoting the principles of the circular economy and implementing the best European practices in the reuse of industrial waste is not only a requirement for Ukraine's successful accession to the EU, but also a prerequisite for the effective implementation of infrastructure projects, especially during the post-war reconstruction of the country. However, such ambitious goals can be a huge challenge for our country, particularly in environmental recycling projects in construction, where the most important issue is to eliminate the simplest and most attractive solution of using natural materials rather than replacing them with industrial waste. The article contains research materials on solving the problem of utilization of phosphogypsum waste by using it in the structural layers of road pavements. For this purpose, composite mixtures based on raw dump phosphogypsum (SE "Sіrka", Novyi Rozdil) were prepared. Laboratory tests have established that composite materials based on phosphogypsum meet the requirements of the State Standard of Ukraine for structural layers of road pavement.

Sobre o comportamento mecânico de um concreto com reforço híbrido para pisos industriais

Abstract Civil construction is an industry sector that has been used as an outlet for the reuse of industrial waste. The present work aims to use the residue of Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) from the footwear industry as a partial substitute for a granulometric range of aggregates, aiming at the production of structural concrete and application to industrial floors. The proposed mixing ratios were evaluated from uniaxial compression, three-point bending, and drying shrinkage tests. The results of the uniaxial compression tests showed that the concrete with EVA addition still has enough strength to be considered structural concrete. In addition, the EVA and polypropylene fiber particles act as stress transfer bridges in the cracked zone, resulting in an increase in residual stresses and, consequently, in the toughness of the concrete in the three-point bending test. Finally, Technical Report 34 was used as a procedure to design an industrial floor based on the compressive strength, Young's modulus, and flexural behavior of the tested composites. The final result showed that even with lower compressive strength, fiber-reinforced concrete with EVA achieves greater structural efficiency for an industrial floor with the same cross-sectional height as ordinary fiber-reinforced concrete.

Structural Factors That Determine the Activity of the Xenobiotic Reductase B Enzyme from Pseudomonas putida on Nitroaromatic Compounds

Xenobiotic reductase B (XenB) catalyzes the reduction of the aromatic ring or nitro groups of nitroaromatic compounds with methyl, amino or hydroxyl radicals. This reaction is of biotechnological interest for bioremediation, the reuse of industrial waste or the activation of prodrugs. However, the structural factors that explain the binding of XenB to different substrates are unknown. Molecular dynamics simulations and quantum mechanical calculations were performed to identify the residues involved in the formation and stabilization of the enzyme/substrate complex and to explain the use of different substrates by this enzyme. Our results show that Tyr65 and Tyr335 residues stabilize the ligands through hydrophobic interactions mediated by the aromatic rings of these aminoacids. The higher XenB activity determined with the substrates 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene and 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene is consistent with the lower energy of the highest occupied molecular orbital (LUMO) orbitals and a lower energy of the homo orbital (LUMO), which favors electrophile and nucleophilic activity, respectively. The electrostatic potential maps of these compounds suggest that the bonding requires a large hydrophobic region in the aromatic ring, which is promoted by substituents in ortho and para positions. These results are consistent with experimental data and could be used to propose point mutations that allow this enzyme to process new molecules of biotechnological interest.

PREREQUISITES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EUROPEAN EXPERIENCE IN THE USE OF ASH-SLAG MATERIALS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF HIGHWAYS: А REVIEW

The European Green Deal is the latest climate and environmental protection program launched by the EU. This is a strategy to transform the EU into a resource-efficient economy, in which in 2050 there will be zero greenhouse gas emissions and economic growth will be decoupled from the use of natural resources. After approving the National Economic Strategy for the period until 2030, Ukraine joins and focuses on the European Green Deal and aims to achieve climate neutrality in 2060 (Natsionalna ekonomichna stratehiia, 2021). Such ambitious goals can become a huge challenge for our country, in particular, in environmental projects of recycling in construction. Popularization of the principles of the circular economy and the introduction of the best European experience in the reuse of industrial waste is not only a requirement for the successful accession of Ukraine to the EU, but also a prerequisite for the effective implementation of infrastructure projects, especially the post-war reconstruction of the country.

The Effects of the Type and Quantity of Recycled Materials on Physical and Mechanical Properties of Concrete and Mortar: A Review

The reuse of industrial wastes to produce concrete and mortar is an environmental solution for their disposal as well as for the development of ecological and sustainable concrete. A large number of previous studies summarized in this review paper focused on adding different types of waste in the concrete and mortar mix in the form of fine aggregates, coarse aggregates or cement additives, and investigated the physical and mechanical properties of the enhanced material. Reusing waste in concrete and mortar mix design significantly affects the material’s fresh and hardened properties. This literature review offers a general insight to the civil and industrial engineering community on ecological waste-based concrete and mortar that can serve as a basis for construction and future work in this field.

Infrastructure provision of industrial waste management in the context of the strategy for recovery of the national economy of Ukraine

The article proposes an integrated approach to evaluating the development of the industrial waste management system on the example of the Kyiv region. This approach is based on the application of a set of indicators that characterize the current state of functioning of this system from the ecological and economic points of view. On the basis of the received results of the conducted diagnostics, barriers, threats, ecological principles of functioning of the regional industrial waste management system were identified. As a result of the study, it was proved that for effective infrastructural support of industrial waste management, it is advisable to implement a comprehensive approach, the essence of which is the integration of the principles of transformation of the industrial waste management system, the implementation of the reverse logistics algorithm, the main components of the organizational and economic mechanism (functions, methods, management tools, information systems, digital, “green” and innovative technologies), financial instruments of green investment for the implementation of the regional industrial waste management strategy. The implementation of the proposed integrated approach will contribute to the adoption of justified innovative decisions on the greening of logistics activities and environmental management; timely solution of problems of management of return flows of production waste using the principles of reverse logistics; minimization of the negative impact on the environment by reducing the volume of waste generation, increasing the volume of processing and reuse of industrial waste; effective implementation of circular economy models, transition to expanding producer responsibility; increasing the level of environmental safety of the region and the country; achieving the goals of sustainable development of the national economy. It has been established that in order to improve the industrial waste management system in the region, it is expedient to: introduce the latest technologies and equipment for collection, sorting, transportation, processing and utilization of waste taking into account advanced European practices; promoting the use of waste recycling as secondary raw materials on the basis of “green” investment; development of a financial mechanism for the application of public-private partnership based on attracting private investments and other non-budgetary sources of financing in the field of industrial waste management; creation of an appropriate cluster structure as an organizational form of partnership in the field of industrial waste management; development and implementation of tools for economic stimulation of industrial waste utilization; implementation of the concept of reverse logistics in the context of the green and circular economy.

Electric Arc Furnace Dust Recycled in 7075 Aluminum Alloy Composites Fabricated by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS).

The reuse of industrial waste, such as electric arc furnace dust (EAFD) as reinforcement in aluminum matrix composites (AMC), is still little explored even though it has shown potential to improve the mechanical properties, such as hardness and mechanical strength, of AMCs. To propose a new alternative for EAFD recycling, AA7075-EAFD composites were produced by spark plasma sintering (SPS). The starting powders were prepared by high-energy milling with different weight fractions of EAFD in two particle size ranges added to an AA7075 matrix. SEM shows that the distribution of reinforcement particles in the matrix is homogeneous with no agglomeration of the particles. XRD patterns of initial powders and the SPS-sintered (SPSed) samples suggest that there was no reaction during sintering (no additional peaks were detected). The relative density of all SPSed samples exceeded 96.5%. The Vickers microhardness of the composites tended to increase with increasing EAFD content, increasing from 108 HV (AA7075 without reinforcement) up to 168 HV (56% increase). The maximum microhardness value was obtained when using 15 wt.% EAFD with a particle size smaller than 53 μm (called G1), showing that EAFD presents a promising potential to be applied as reinforcement in AA7075 matrix composites.