Eco-Friendly Innovation of Non-Fired Ceramic Tiles from Rice Husk Ash and Recycled Glass Cullet

Abstract

The paper presents an experimental study on the production of non-fired ceramic tiles from rice husk ash (RHA) and green glass cullet (GGC) composites as a novel eco-friendly material. Eighteen mixture formulations were constructed as compared to control formula, specimens were uniaxially pressed at 10 MPa and then cured at room temperature for 7 and 28 days. Non-fired tiles (formula A4, B11, and C17) containing 20% GGC were mixed with 0%, 5%, and 10% RHA. The modulus of rupture can be increased by 87.23%, 48.8%, and 19.4%, respectively, at 28 days of curing as compared to control formula. These results were also coherent with microstructure characterization by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, formula A4 and C17 were selected to compare energy costs with wall tiles fired at 950°C. They were the same amount of energy-saving costs by 5.19 USD/m2. From these results, the new eco-friendly products can produce with a combination of RHA and GGC wastes which can enhance the physical properties due to the pozzolanic reaction. Moreover, the proposed non-fired ceramic tiles can conserve energy and reduce manufacturing costs.