Cement-Asbestos Waste as a Source of Secondary Raw Material for the Production of Mineral Binders

Problems related to the harmfulness and disposal of asbestos materials are well known all over the world. The paper presents the results of research on asbestos waste thermal treatment that is focused on the obtaining of mineral binders. The tests were performed in an electric arc-resistance furnace, in two different ways. The test results have demonstrated that the fibrous structure of asbestos contained in cement-asbestos waste is completely destroyed by thermal treatment, which allows the conversion of asbestos-containing materials into new secondary raw materials without asbestos. Moreover, the so obtained new materials exhibit binding properties close to those of traditional mineral binders, like ordinary Portland cement clinker. The research results indicate that the asbestos waste treatment process is a potential and interesting method of neutralizing this hazardous asbestos waste, enabling the material to be further recycled in the future.