Composite Tiles Produced from Granite Dust and Tree Pruning Using a Sandwiched Method

Abstract

Projected by the United Nations, a global population surge to an estimated 9.6 billion by 2050 is anticipated, exerting substantial demands on Earth's finite natural resources for construction materials. This research endeavors to scrutinize and fabricate an innovative recycling approach for almond tree pruning as core materials, integrated with granite dust, employing cement as a binding agent in the fabrication of composite tiles measuring 190×98mm. Adhering to ISO standards, the resultant product underwent rigorous evaluation encompassing density, water absorption, flexural strength, compressive strength, and thermal conductivity. The composite tiles manifest a density spectrum spanning from 1.05 to 1.89 g/cm³ , coupled with a water absorption capacity ranging from 8.25% to 33.89%. The experimental findings reveal that the integration of almond tree pruning amidst granite dust leads to a reduction in the flexural and compressive strengths of the composite tiles. Nevertheless, Sample A (comprising 78% granite dust, 2% tree pruning, and a 20% cement admixture) attains the pinnacle of flexural strength at 1.256 MPa and compressive strength at 0.421 MPa, thus representing the optimal blend ratio. Additionally, the thermal conductivities of these composite tiles exhibit a variance from 0.022 to 0.3802 W/mK, rendering them ideally suited for applications requiring low-load bearing, insulation, lightweight properties, and energy-efficient construction tiles.