Effect of the Addition of the Waste Generated from the Feldspar Mining on the Obtainment of Ceramic Brick

Abstract

TheNossa Senhora do Carmomining company, located at the southern of Santa Catarina (SC), Brazil, explores a large amount of feldspar to the ceramic market. As a result, waste is inevitable in the production and processing of the feldspar mineral, which results in an environmental impact. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the effect of the addition of the waste coming from the feldspar mining in the composition of ceramic bricks. In this way, the waste and a clay mineral were characterized. The waste (0, 5, 15 and 25 wt%) was added to a composition of clay brick based on a standard clay fromMorro da Fumaça, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Specimens were extruded and sintered at temperatures of 1123, 1223, and 1323 K. The technological properties assessed in this study were linear shrinkage, water absorption and bending strength. The data were assessed by analysis of variance. The results showed the feasibility of adding 15 and 25 wt% of waste to the brick composition. All technological properties were improved when compared to pure samples, except for linear shrinkage. The analysis of variance showed significant and reproducible effects for the water absorption results. The results for linear shrinkage and bending strength showed no statistical significance.