Mechanical properties of lightweight photocatalytic marbelite

Abstract

This study investigated the mechanical performance of lightweight photocatalytic marbelite (LPM). In the production of LPM, titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and various fiber additives were used to impart self-cleaning properties to the LPM with photocatalytic effect. In the study, fibers were added to the LPM mix at different ratios (0%, 0.5%, 1%) and unit weight, ultrasound transmission rate, bending, splitting tensile and compressive strength tests were carried out on these specimens. The mixture was prepared with perlite and polyester resin and enriched with TiO₂ and fiber additives. Perlite was used as an aggregate in the LPM and lightweighting properties were added to the specimens. The experimental results show that increasing the fiber content significantly improves the mechanical strength of the LPM. The improvement in bending strength reached 60%, while in compressive strength it reached 25% and in splitting tensile strength it reached 35%. With the addition of TiO2, the bending strength of LPM increased by 15%, while the compressive strength increased by 12% and the splitting tensile strength increased by 7%. These ratios were higher with increasing fiber content. These results suggest that LPM, which provide environmental benefits with their photocatalytic properties and improved mechanical performance, can be more effectively used in industrial applications.