Mechanical behaviour and microstructure of an artificial stone slab prepared using a SiO2 waste crucible and quartz sand

This paper presents an experimental investigation of the production of a high-quality artificial stone slab using a SiO2 waste crucible. A fine SiO2 waste crucible powder and quartz sand were mixed with unsaturated polymer resin (UPR) as a binder, and all samples of artificial stone slabs were prepared using vibratory compaction in a vacuum environment. The properties of the artificial stone slabs as a function of different coupling agent contents, UPR contents, compaction times and curing time were studied using compression, three-point bending, bulk density and water absorption tests. The structural features of the samples were also characterized. Compaction served to prevent the formation of pores between particles; however, excessive compaction crushed the particles. The compressive and flexural strength of the samples increased as the curing time increased. Optimal proportions of the contents of the UPR and coupling agent achieved the most cost-effective production parameters. The artificial stone slabs obtained in this work have high compressive and flexural strengths of 170.9 and 73.5 MPa under a compaction time of 3 min and a curing time of 60 min, which are superior to natural construction slab and most artificial stone slabs.