Abstract

This work presents the types of waste of Armenian volcanic aluminosilicate tuff rocks extraction, as a component of the raw material of non-cement, artificial stone materials, the technical possibilities of their use, and the results of experiments for meeting the indicators of physical and mechanical characteristics of natural stone. Preliminary orientational experimental studies have specified the proportions of the raw materials in the compositions, the connections between the preparation of mixtures, the compaction of samples, and the shortest possible heat treatment regimes at temperatures up to 200 °C. Non-cement artificial stones were developed using tuff waste, with filler–composite binder ratios of 75/25 and 70/30, and a water/solid mass ratio of 0.10-to-0.12%. After 9 h of heat treatment, the density, water absorption, and compressive strength of non-cement artificial stone materials were determined. The results showed that these materials outperformed natural stone materials from the same deposits, in terms of the same physical and mechanical characteristics. The use of tuff waste resulted in increased densities, from 10.5 to 39%, decreased water absorption by 2 to 2.5 times, and increased compressive strength of non-cement artificial stone materials, from 15 to 30% compared to natural tuff stones. X-ray diffraction and SEM image studies were also carried out for the obtained non-cement artificial stones. The novelty in the developed technology of obtaining stone materials primarily revolves around the mixture preparation technology by using tuff waste materials and low-temperature heat treatment.