Decorative Tiles From White Cement, Waste Macadamia Shells and Waste Soda Lime Glass

Abstract

Macadamia shells were left as waste in community enterprise group in Khaoko, Petchaboon Province. Glass is renewable materials by recovering and recycling without losing quality. However, the majority of waste glass is not being recycled but rather abandoned in community especially glass beer bottles. This research focused on the fabrication and characterization of decorative white cement tiles by using waste macadamia shells and waste soda lime glass. The ratio of white cement and waste glass powder was studied at 20 : 80.     Waste macadamia shells were studied at 10, 20 and 30 %wt by using water content at 30 and 35 %wt, respectively and then samples were cured for 7 and 14 days for studying physical and mechanical properties including density, water absorption and compressive strength. According to the results, it can be obviously seen that density and compressive strength decreased while water absorption increased with increasing waste macadamia shells. The highest density and compressive strength were 2.16 g/cm³ and 17.47 MPa, respectively with water absorption 6.54 % at macadamia 10 %wt with water content 30 %wt at 14 days curing. Compare physical and mechanical properties of decorative tile at water content 30%wt with 35%wt. It was found that water with 30%wt provided higher density and compressive strength. Moreover, curing at 14 days provided higher density and compressive strength compare with 7 days. This research is not only reduce energy consumption in firing process of normal ceramic tile but also can be used to further develop and added value of decorative tiles.