Physical Properties and Microstructures of Ceramics Fabricated from Mae Moh Lignite Bottom Ash

Abstract

Mae Moh lignite bottom ash was utilized as the main component in the fabrication of lightweight ceramic formulations. The amount of 50-80 wt.% bottom ash was successfully utilized to produce ceramics at sintering temperatures between 900 and 1200°C. Waste glass was used as a flux for the sintering process. Bottom ash was carefully sieved into three different particle sizes; small, medium and large. The different particle sizes were used in the ceramic fabrication to investigate for the densification behavior. Overall, porosity and water absorption of the fabricated ceramics decreased with increasing sintering temperature. Sintering at 1125°C resulted in the most densified ceramics which retained good physical appearance without sample distortion or melting.