Scientific fundamentals for the use of serpentinized rocks from the eastern region of Cuba

Abstract

Cuba has one of the largest reserves of basic and ultrabasic rocks in the world, located mainly in the Moa - Baracoa ophiolitic complex, where dunitic rocks abound, bearing the olivine mineral with important refractory properties. The present work shows the main scientific results, accumulated during more than 20 years of research on this raw material, and the obtaining of different refractory products, such as: foundry sands and non-stick paints, refractory bricks, among others. An experimental design of mixture, Mac Lean - Anderson type, was used, which allowed defining the best mixtures for the manufacture of refractory products, determining also the most important physical-mechanical properties and their comparison with similar materials. The use of this raw material would efficiently contribute to the reduction of the impact on the ecosystem currently caused by the accumulation of this debris in the region of Moa.