Eco-friendly wall tile infused with ramshorn snail shell waste: from production to application

Calcite is one of the significant components used in the wall tile application at a rate of 10–12% as its content contributes to the formation of pores. This study investigates the usability of snail shell waste with high calcium oxide content as an alternative to calcite raw material. Thus, depletion of calcite reserves will be prevented and value-added commercial products will be obtained by using waste. In addition, proper waste management will prevent environmental pollution and damage caused by waste accumulation. The chemical analysis of snail shell waste revealed a CaO content of 55%, while the CaO content in calcite was measured at 58%. Considering their similar chemical properties, different amounts of snail shell waste (%6, %9, %12) were added to the wall tile recipe instead of calcite. The addition of snail shell waste to the recipe resulted in an increase in sludge density and viscosity. Physical and mechanical tests were conducted on wall tiles made with the addition of snail shell waste and compared to standard wall tiles according to TSE EN ISO standards. When the waste material was used in a 50–50 ratio with calcite, the strength of the recipe was calculated to be 279.41 kg/cm². Water absorption values were within standard limits and recorded at 15%. The phases that occur in the structure of wall tiles with the increase of waste addition were examined by X-ray Diffraction Analysis. The microstructures of the samples were compared with SEM–EDX analysis. Sustainable and low-cost wall tiles were obtained through the use of snail shell waste, with environmentally friendly solutions.