Combined Mussels shells (Perna viridis), Egg shells and Styrofoam

scraps as Components in making an Alternative Tiles

RESEARCHER:

FRANCHESCA ANNE TAQUIQUI

Grade 8

Maria Clara High School

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 INTRODUCTION

Historically, man has desired to create living which was beautiful, durable, and

user friendly, with that in mind, ceramic tile has been made by man. Decorative tile work

was invented in the near east, where it has enjoyed a longer popularity and assumed a

greater variety of design than anywhere in the world.

Today, our country is experiencing a great inflation of the products and

commodities in the market, Because of this, raw materials such as in housing projects

are getting expensive. Government projects will not be possible if construction materials

are not available. In making houses, one of the materials used in construction are tiles.

A tile is a thin object usually square or rectangular in shape. Tile is a

manufactured piece of hard-wearing material such as ceramic, stone, metal, baked clay,

or even glass, usually used for covering the walls. Tiles are generally used for covering

roofs, walls, floors, showers, or other objects such as tabletops. However, tiles

nowadays are very expensive.

There were studies that the wasted shell from bivalves like mussel shells can be

used for tiles making. The bivalves shells are known as fossils capable of producing a

great amount of calcium carbonate (CaCo3) which is a good source of calcium oxide

that would help a lot in making the tiles to be rigid and firm.

Large quantities of eggshell waste are discarded in the food processing industry.

Reire et al. [85] investigated the incorporation of eggshell waste as a raw material into a

wall tile body, replacing natural carbonate material.

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 Eggshells contain calcium which is also a component of shells and corals. As we

all know, corals and shells are very hard objects, which can be helpful in making more

durable than ordinary tiles.

This research aims to develop an economical substitute to the commercially

available tiles utilizing the use of combined wasted mussel shells, egg shells and

Styrofoam scraps.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This study focuses to produce an alternative tiles out of combined scrap shells of

mussels, egg and Styrofoam scraps. It also seek to answer the following queries:

a. Can mussel shells, eggshells and Styrofoam scrap be made as alternative tiles?

b. What are the characteristics of the produce tiles out of the combined materials from

scrap mussel shells, egg shells and Styrofoam?

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Tiles are used throughout the world. It is commonly used in construction

purposes, beautification of our homes. Due to high cost of these materials, not all can

avail of this material.

This study minimizes the land pollution at the same time lessen the improper

disposal of eggshells, mussel shells and styro foam scraps and spreading of diseases.

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 METHODOLOGY

The research focuses on the production of alternative tiles made out of combined

materials of wasted mussel shells, egg shells and scrap styfoam.

I. MATERIALS

1 gram Styrofoam scraps

Wasted Mussel shells

Egg shells

1 teaspoonful of Used gasoline oil or sealant as alternative

Old cloth or sack

hammer

II. PROCEDURES

Step 1: Gather all the

materials needed.

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 Step 2: Pound the
wasted mussel shells
and egg shells
separately to produce a
powdery product

Powdered egg shells

Powdered mussel shells

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 STEP 3: Weigh 1gram of

scrap Styrofoam scraps

Step 4: Measure 1
teaspoonful of used
gasoline and place it on a
small container.

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 STEP 5: Add the weighed

Styrofoam scraps on the

used gasoline. Let the

styrofoam be dissolve in

5miuntes.

Step 6: When the

Styrofoam scraps were
already dissolved.
Measure ¼ cup of
pounded egg shells and
mussel shells.

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 STEP 7: Place all the

materials (pounded egg

shells, mussel shells,

dissolved styrfoam scrap on

a molding tile container)

Step 8: Mix thoroughly all the

ingredients and flattened it in
the molding pan. Once done,
let the tile dried for 7 days or
more to become more rigid.

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 RESULT AND DISCUSSION

The study aims to produce tiles out of combined wasted mussel shells, egg

shells and Styrofoam scraps. These materials were gathered and mixed very well and

placed on a molder. As a result, the tile is rectangular in shape, rough, hard, grayish in

color similar to commercialized granite tiles. The produced tile was tested via impact

resistance test.. The tile was dropped on a 5meters height from a table.

Based on the results, the researcher found out that the produced tile was firm

and rigid and cannot be easily be broken into pieces.

Figure 1: The final product placed on the molder

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 CONCLUSION

Based on the conducted study, the combined wasted mussel shells, egg shells

and Styrofoam scraps can be a good component in making alternative tile.

The tile possesses the characteristics such s rough, rigid, grayish color and

somehow similar to the commercialized tiles. The researcher can also infer that the

produced tile can be alternative and cheaper with the commercialized tiles.

RECOMMENDATION

The researcher recommends for future use to serve as their guide in making

similar project. It also recommends to use alternative solvent aside from used gasoline.

The researcher also recommends that other materials such as broken glassed, other

seafood wasted shells which contain calcium carbonate can also be used to perform

this kind of study.

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY

 Estigoy, Edzel, et.al. (2002-2003), Eggshells as an Effective component in

Making Tiles, A Science Investigatory Project. Zamboanga City

 Warren Ward, New Standard Encyclopedia 1993

 Bato Balani, Voulme 3, 1992

 Encyclopedia Americana, Internationa Edition, 1990

 Muller, Justine, Mussel Shells of Barka River, retrieved from

http://mussel.shells..newsouth.wales.com

 Gomes et.al 2006.Giant clams retrieved from

http:/repository.seafdec.org.ph/handle/10862/2932

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