The American Concrete Institute (ACI) has published a paper which evaluates the use of rock wool waste (RWW) as a supplementary cementing material.
Rock Wool Waste as Supplementary Cementitious Material for Portland Cement-Based Composites emphasises that rock wool is an insulating material which gradually loses its properties and is then deposited in landfills, creating an environmental issue.
Initially, RWW was physically, chemically and mineralogically characterised. The cementitious capacity of RWW was investigated in Portland-cement mortars using direct methods.
ACI says these include: “quantitative X-ray diffraction based on Rietveld’s Method and simultaneous thermal analysis, and indirect methods such as compressive strength index with Portland cement and compressive strength index with lime.”
Also, a morphological analysis by scanning electronic microscope was used in a cement mortar with RWW to assess the mechanical role of the particles.
According to ACI: “The results indicate that RWW promotes pozzolanic reaction and at the same time works as crack arrester, encouraging its application as both a versatile and sustainable supplementary cementitious material.”
This document was published by K. D. C. Silva, G. C. Silva, J. F. Natalli, J. C. Mendes, G. J. B. Silva and R. A. F. Peixoto.
