Safe decomposition of asbestos by mechano-chemical reaction

It is legally demanded that the wastes containing asbestos should be change to harmless substances completely due to the harmful effects of asbestos fiber on health. The purpose of present research was to construct a safe, reliable and facile technique by using mechano-chemical reaction, which is a non-combustion process and operated in a closed system. It was confirmed that the needle crystal of chrysotile asbestos was changed perfectly to amorphous state after grinding by using a planetary ball mill. Furthermore, these products could be remade to useful materials by addition of soil which consists of inorganic materials based on CaO and so one. After the obtained fine powders were mixed with water, pressed and held under the humid condition, the stable hydrates were found in these products after XRD analysis. These inorganic compounds were much useful as a new raw material for cement-like.