ABSTRACT
The Republic of Kazakhstan has been working to improve its road infrastructure by using modified sulfur to strengthen low-strength inert materials, such as limestone-shell rock. This study aims to provide an overview of the existing research on this topic, highlighting the chemical modification of sulfur, the properties of low strength inert materials, and the potential applications of sulphurous stone in the construction industry.
Sulfur has been identified as a promising binder for composite materials due to its abundance, low cost, and unique physical properties (Youssef et al., 2015). However, in its elemental form, sulfur exhibits poor mechanical properties and low resistance to environmental factors, which limits its applications in construction materials (Yildirim & Şimşek, 2019). To overcome these limitations, researchers have focused on the chemical modification of sulfur using various organic modifiers, such as epoxy resins and unsaturated compounds (Zhang et al., 2017; Xie et al., 2018). These modifications have been found to improve the physical and mechanical characteristics of sulfur, resulting in a binder with increased strength, durability, and resistance to external factors (Youssef et al., 2015; Yildirim & Şimşek, 2019). Limestone and shell rock are examples of low strength inert materials that have been explored as potential substrates for sulfur-based binders. These materials are characterized by their low strength and porosity, which can be advantageous when combined with a sulfur binder due to the impregnation of the sulfur into the porous structure, resulting in improved strength and durability (Youssef et al., 2015). Additionally, limestone and shell rock are abundant and inexpensive, making them an attractive option for large-scale construction applications (Yildirim & Şimşek, 2019).
The combination of modified sulfur and low strength inert materials has been shown to produce a high-strength composite material, referred to as “sulphurous stone” (Youssef et al., 2015). The impregnation of sulfur into the porous structure of limestone or shell rock, along with the chemical modification of sulfur, results in a composite material with improved mechanical properties, such as increased compressive strength, flexural strength, and resistance to external factors (Yildirim & Şimşek, 2019; Zhang et al., 2017). Additionally, sulphurous stone has been shown to exhibit low water absorption and excellent resistance to freeze-thaw cycles, making it a suitable material for use in various construction applications (Youssef et al., 2015).
