CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Humpty Dumpty saw a hole in a wall. It hasn't been fixed until it reached nightfall. So

Humpty took a piece of himself, mixed with other ingredients, repaired it before midnight at

twelve. A sealant is a material that is generally used to repair smaller scale objects and figures

and are also used to seal crevices to make them airtight or watertight. Sealants are widely used

for various repairs. They originate from way back in prehistoric times. Almost anything that can

fulfill the purpose of a sealant is already considered as one. Examples of natural sealants in

prehistory were mud, tar, blood, and even eggs. Oils were utilized in the 17th century and

polymers were used in the 1920s. Synthetic polymer-based sealants have been available since the

1960s (Klosoki & Wolf, 2009). There are different types of sealants that are classified according

to their ability of movement. There are 3 general classes of sealants according to movement

capacity: Low-performance sealants, Medium-performance sealants, and High-performance

sealants (Craver & Carraher, 2000). In a country like the Philippines where a lengthy portion of

the year falls under the rainy season, and because most of the Philippine population is in poverty,

the roofs of households are prone to developing holes and cracks that could cause leakage.

Because of this social status in the country, a much cheaper alternative to traditional sealants

would catch some attention. This is where the eggshells come in, as they are usually thrown into

waste or used into fertilizer. Eggshells have the potential for industrial use, despite a smaller

scale, it is already a small step towards aiming for alternative materials in products we use every

day. Approximately 94% of eggshells are composed of calcium carbonate (Murakami,

Rodrigues, de Campos, Silva 2007).

 1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

This study was conceptualized with the intent of looking for a way to use eggshells rather

than disposing of them in the garbage. A common and convenient source of calcium carbonate,

the eggshells of chicken eggs will be used as the primary strengthening agent in the sealant.

Chicken eggshells are about 94% calcium carbonate crystals (Murakami, Rodrigues, de Campos,

Silva 2007). These eggshells are enough to create the sealant instead of extracting the calcium

carbonate from other sources. The title of the research was chosen as it portrays both a simple

cultural reference to ease readers in and spark their interest, and it also encapsulates the subject

matter in a brief but also informative manner. 

Calcium Carbonate is considered the most versatile mineral and this name stands to be true

as the mineral has a lot of applications both in ancient and modern times. The historical timeline

of this mineral shows its versatility as it has been used in applications such as cave paintings,

plastic manufacturing, paper, fertilizers, construction, and many more. The main sources of

Calcium Carbonate are naturally from mining the ore and synthetically from chemical

precipitation. Naturally mined Calcium Carbonate is commonly known as Ground Calcium

Carbonate (GCC), this is primarily based on limestone and chalk in the UK. At a few locations,

marble stone is imported and processed. Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (PCC) is Calcium

Carbonate that has been produced through either a recarbonisation process or as a by-product of

some bulk chemical process (British Calcium Carbonates Federation).

Eggshell waste is abundant in the Philippines. According to the Philippine Statistics

Authority (2019), the total volume of chicken egg production in the country from January to
March 2019 was 142.01 metric tons. This is significantly more compared to 2017’s 121.54

metric tons and 2018’s 130.55 metric tons. From this information alone, there is a large amount

of waste that can be used for a better purpose rather than ending up in the garbage or in landfills.

”Kitchen scraps accounts for 45% of the country’s household solid waste generation,

contributing to 0.50kg/Capita/day of waste, or about 4,020 Metric Tons collected daily” (Ongo,

Valdecañas, Gutierrez 2016).

1.2 OBJECTIVES 

1.2.1 General

The researchers aim to accomplish the following in conducting this study:

 To introduce a new use for eggshells besides fertilizer

 To recycle used and thrown away Styrofoam and reduce its amount in garbage

1.2.2 Specific

This research intends to achieve the following specific objectives:

 To produce an elastomeric sealant with calcium carbonate from eggshells as the main

strengthening agent

 To determine which specific amount of calcium carbonate is enough to create an efficient

elastomeric sealant

1.3 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The Statement of the Problem will be focused on stating the research’s purpose and the

knowledge to be acquired from conducting the study, “Humpty Dumpty: Utilizing eggshells as a

strengthening agent in sealants”.

 1. Will the utilization of eggshells help reduce waste?

2. How will the product fare against other sealants?

3. Does the mixture fulfill the tasks expected of a sealant?

4. Which structures and materials does the sealant work on?

5. Are eggshells effective as a strengthening agent for an elastomeric sealant?

1.4 HYPOTHESIS

Ho: Eggshells are not effective as a strengthening agent for an elastomeric sealant.

Hi: Eggshells are effective as a strengthening agent for an elastomeric sealant.

1.5 CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE

The study will be focusing on producing an elastomeric sealant made from recycled materials

which include eggshells and used Styrofoam. In pursuing this task, the amount of Styrofoam

found in garbage can be reduced and repurposed for a new use. The same can be said for

eggshells, instead of throwing them away, using them as fertilizer, or using them as chicken

feeds, the eggshells will serve a more industrial purpose. The study will benefit many people

specifically:

1.6.1 General Public

This research is beneficial to anybody who utilizes sealants in simple home repairs.

1.6.2 Industrial Workers

This research is beneficial to industrial workers such as carpenters and plumbers whose line of

work often involves repairs in fixtures, walls, and small-scale structures. 

1.6.3 Environmental Advocates

This research is beneficial to environmental advocates as it presents them with a new idea that is

aimed at helping the environment and reducing waste.

1.6.4 Garbage Collectors/Recyclers

This research is beneficial to garbage collectors and recyclers as it gives them a more focused

objective in collecting waste and gives them a more active role in environmental protection and

conservation.

1.6.5 Future Researchers 

This research is beneficial to future researchers as it presents them with a study that may be

improved further than what the researcher has accomplished.

6. SCOPE AND LIMITATION

This research will only focus on the utilization of eggshells as a strengthening agent in an

elastomeric sealant. Only chicken eggshells will be used in this research. The Styrofoam used for

the mixture will be recycled from old Styrofoam. The materials will be gathered locally in

Parañaque City only.