LAUSR

In this study, water resistant, super thermally insulating high-performance particulate reinforced composites comprising marble waste particulates (MWP) and polypropylene (PP) are fabricated towards sustainable development. Water absorption behaviour of injection moulded MWP-PP composites of different filler concentrations (0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 weight%) is investigated with physical and mechanical properties. Water transport mechanism of fabricated MWP-PP particulate reinforced composites is explained using Fick’s diffusion law for the first time. This work is meaningful to the practical application of MWP-PP composites in buildings and transportation infrastructures. Physic-chemical and morphological characterization of marble waste particulates is carried out in detail. Physical (density, water absorption and thermal) and mechanical (flexural and impact) characterization of unsaturated and saturated composites are carried out. Ultra-low value of (0.093 ± 0.04 to 0.060 ± 0.01%) water absorption was obtained for different concentrations of MWP-PP particulate reinforced composites. Maximum flexural (53.05 ± 1.32 MPa) and impact (1.499 ± 0.10 kJ/m2) strength of saturated MWP-PP particulate reinforced composites is attained with 20 weight% filler concentration with flexural modulus in the range of 1.901 ± 0.15 to 3.462 ± 0.41 GPa and thermal conductivity of 0.35 ± 0.18 Wm−1 K−1. A prolific method of recycling marble waste as reinforcement in particulate reinforced composites is studied for application in water resistant architectural wall and insulation floor panels.