Potential Applications of Marble Dust in Industrial Use by Characterization Techniques – A Review

Abstract

Marble is a very common building material. In India, Rajasthan caters almost 85 % of the total demand of marble. It is normally a rich source of calcium carbonate which has various applications. Quarrying, processing and polishing of marble generates large amount of waste. This waste is dumped and left unattended thus creating hazardous problems. It is required to use this waste material in development of some value added products and reducing the impact on environment. Thus it is necessary to know the chemical properties of the waste left behind and how it reacts or helps in the hydration process. It is required to study the current uses of this waste marble dust in various industrial and construction practices. This paper describes various chemical properties of marble dust using characterization techniques like X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), X-Ray fluorescence (XRF), Thermo gravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Also the practical application of these characterization techniques in studying the chemical reactions taking place in mortars and concrete is reviewed. Suggestions for further studies and utilization in various fields for building a sustainable environment are also incorporated. It would encourage bulk utilization of waste marble dust as an alternative construction material which is otherwise a waste.