An appraisal application of zircon mine tailings in thermal insulating material via a sacrificial fugitive route

Abstract

Kyanite is widely used as an excellent expansion agent (additive) to counteract the shrinkage of thermally insulating Al2O3–SiO2 material during sintering. Herein, zircon mine tailing, comprising mainly kyanite and zircon, is utilized as the major raw material in preparing an insulating material. The effects of mine tailing content, sintering temperature, and sawdust (pore-forming agent) content on the properties of the insulating material are analyzed. The sintering property, mechanical property, and thermal conductivity of the material are also assessed. Results show that the increase in tailing content in the insulating material enhances its thermal insulating performance and reduces its cold crushing strength and sintering shrinkage. Thus, the optimal process parameters for preparing the thermal insulating material are as follows: tailing content (57 wt%), sawdust content (25 wt%), and sintering temperature (1450 °C).