Using stone processing sludge as additives in ceramic products

Abstract

This study explores the possibility of using stone processing sludge in ceramic building materials. In this research, fatty clays were selected from quarries and sludge from stone processing plants. These materials were not further modified. The clay and sludge were dried in a drying cabinet for 24 hours at a temperature of 105±2 ºC. The samples were fired at a temperature of 950 degrees Celsius. The shrinkage of the samples and the weight loss of the samples due to the sludge content after firing were analyzed. It was found that the sludge has a density similar to clay, allowing it to be mixed without adjusting proportions. The plasticity index of the sludge was lower than that of clay, despite the similarity in particle size of these materials. The chemical analysis of the sludge and clay showed a carbon percentage. X-ray fluorescence of the sludge and clay indicated their similarity without contamination by heavy metals or chemical elements. It was also determined that the linear shrinkage of ceramic samples increases with increasing sludge content. Based on this, it can be concluded that granite sludge can be incorporated into ceramic materials for brick production.

Keywords

• firing
• weight loss
• linear dimensions
• ceramics
• sludge