Effects of powder concentration and marble powder grain size on the performance of unsaturated polyester resin/marble composite structures.

The marble industry in Morocco is growing increasingly. The amount of marble dust is therefore rising considerably. The aim of this study is primarily to enhance the use of this powder in composite materials. Unsaturated polyester resin and marble powder were used in our composite material. Marble powder grain size distribution analysis was first carried out. Four different weight percents and four grain sizes were used to make the composite material. Five specimens were prepared for each combination. The mixtures were then poured into rectangular moulds at room temperature. Tensile and three-point bending tests were performed to study mechanical properties and XRD analysis was used to characterise the structure and identify the different phases. Moreover, the composite material was exposed to different chemical substances to conclude if there was any reaction. We have concluded that the Young's modulus increase with increasing amounts of marble powder but does not change with variation in the particle grain size. The tensile strength decreases with increased amounts of marble powder and also with increasing the particle grain size. The toughness increases with increasing particle size up to 250 µm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]