Presented at the Ist International Symposium on Innovative Approaches in Scientific Studies (ISAS 2018), Kemer-Antalya, Turkey, Apr 11, 2018

SETSCI Conference Proceedings, 2018, 2, Page (s): 74-75 , https://doi.org/

Published Date: 23 June 2018    | 1128     9

Boron is a important element that can be used in many different fields such as the ceramic industry, fertilizers, insecticides, corrosion inhibitors and etc. Boric acid is a naturally occurring compound containing boron, oxygen and hydrogen (H3BO3) elements. In the land, element boron does not exist by itself. Boron is combined with other common elements, such as sodium to make salts like borax and with oxygen to make boric acid. Boric acid is a mild antiseptic as well as the mild acid that inhibits the growth of microorganisms on materials surface. However, at high concentration boric acid become an effective Antibacterial agent that is widely used for the killing of diverse organisms ranging from bacteria to rodents. Porcelain is a ceramic product comprising mullite, quartz crystals, and glassy phase. A quantity of waste porcelain is obtained from local industries during the production of ceramic ware. The most of the waste porcelain bodies are deposited in landfills and only little quantities have been recycled as a raw material for other uses. Thus, it is important and useful to recycle the waste lowering production costs and protecting the environment. Areas such as ceramic sanitaryware, laminated kitchen and laboratory work top are hygienic working areas, and the use of polymer matrix composites in these areas is gaining popularity day by day.  In this study recycled waste porcelain particles and boric acid powders are used as fillers in the production of polymer matrix composites. Waste porcelain particles were used to reduce the production cost and to improve the mechanical and physical properties of the polymer phase. Boric acid was employed as an antibacterial agent. Waste porcelain bodies were crushed and milled to obtain finely powdered porcelain. Boric acid powder was provided by Etibor Company. The polymer matrix composites were produced with casting method. The physicomechanical properties such as bulk density, porosity, three-point bending strength, Shore hardness, impact resistance were determined. Antibacterial tests were conducted according to ASTM 2180 as well. The filler powders and the microstructure of the manufactured composites were characterized with SEM, EDS, XRD techniques. In general enhancement in mechanical properties and antibacterial surface effect were observed.  

Keywords - boric acid, composites, porcelain waste, antibacterial activity, mechanical properties