Comparative characteristics of paints developed from fly ash, copper tailings and blue dust

摘要

Recycling and reuse is perhaps the most favorable and beneficial way to solve the problem of industrial waste disposal. However, industrial wastes like fly ash, tailings, etc. are used in brick manufacturing, landfilling, embankment filling, etc. However, these existing practices do not add enough value to the wastes. Moreover, some wastes may have very good potential for incorporation into valuable products like paints. This study is concerned with value addition to industrial wastes such as fly ash, copper-tailing waste and blue dust when used as paint extenders. The comparative properties and characteristics of these three wastes relevant to application in paints are discussed. Fly ash, copper tailings and blue dust were characterized according to their physical, chemical and minera-logical properties, and used in different paint formulations, based on their potential for a particular application. Fly ash was found to be very good for use in enamel, primers and flat paints, while copper tailings were found to be suitable in oil-based paint formulations. The performance of fly-ash and copper-tailing waste in paints was evaluated by comparing them to conventional whiting extenders. Blue dust was compared to conventional iron oxide for use in priming coats. The extender properties of these new materials and paints prepared from blue dust, fly ash and copper tailings were found to be better than those of existing materials.