Influence of Fly Ash Addition on Properties of Ceramic Wall Tiles

Abstract

Recently, there have been many efforts to establish suitable processes for recycling fly ash, which is produced in thermal power plants and which poses serious environmental problems. Use of fly ash as a major ingredient of ceramic tiles can increase fly ash utilization, as well as reduce the cost of raw materials in ceramic tile production. In this study, the effects of fly ash addition on ceramic tile properties such as bending strength, water absorption and porosity were investigated. A manufacturing process of ceramic tile was developed for utilization of fly ash with high carbon content. In this approach, it is important to hold the ceramic tiles at a temperature that is sufficient for carbon oxidation, before the pores supplying oxygen to the inside of the ceramic tile are sealed. Ceramic wall tiles were manufactured with 0-40wt% of fly ash addition. The water absorption and porosity of the fired body were slightly changed with increasing fly ash content up to 30wt% and decreased with greater amounts of fly ash addition. The bending strength of ceramic tile including 10wt% fly ash increased, reaching a level comparable to that of ceramic tile without fly ash.