Investigation shows improvement in curing properties and mechanical strength in EPDM composites with waste onyx powder, suggesting better economic recycling options.
Nowadays, studies are being carried out on recycling waste formed during cutting in the natural stone industry and using it as an additive in different sectors to create new products. This study aims to enhance the functionality of waste onyx powder (WOP) sourced from the Cappadocia region by incorporating it into ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, thereby contributing to the recycling of waste materials and promoting their economic value. Waste onyx powders were added at 22, 50, and 95 phr. From curing properties, minimum torque, maximum torque, cure extent (CE), and cure rate index increased with the addition of WOP. The stress at 100% elongation (M100) and stress at 200% elongation (M200) increased by 58.6% and 46.3% with the addition of 95 phr WOP. At 22 phr of WOP, EPDM/WOP composites had the maximum TS, 14.3 MPa, which was approximately 20.1% greater than EPDM rubber. The elongation at break decreased by 9.5%, 17.4%, and 17.7% with the addition of 22, 50, and 95 phr WOP, respectively. The rebound resilience values of EPDM and EPDM/WOP composites were obtained between 62.2% and 50.91%. The addition of 95 phr WOP caused the tear strength to be reduced, whereas it improved the compression set of EPDM. This supports the improved reinforcing efficiency of waste onyx powder in EPDM rubber. The study demonstrates that waste onyx powder can serve as an affordable filler, enabling the production of cost‐effective rubber products for applications such as car and door mats, window channels, and both clean and wastewater pipes.
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Ciftci et al. (2025) studied this question.
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