Physical properties of low energy consumption fired industrial waste-clay bricks from cockle shells and soda lime silica glass

Abstract

The aim of this study is to enhance the physical properties of the fired industrial waste-clay bricks (FIWCB) by reducing the use of clay soil (CL) as the main source of material as well as to shorten the process of making FIWCB. Industrial waste materials were used such as cockle shells (CS) due to their high thermal insulation and physical strength properties as well as soda lime silica (SLS) glass to reduce firing temperature and shorten drying process. The process only requires low energy consumption as the mixtures of SLS glass, clay soil and CS were made, the molded mixtures were then subjected to firing process to shorten the drying period of the FIWCB as oppose to the conventional method of making Fired Clay Brick (FCB) which could take up to one whole day of conventional FCB making which is rather time and energy consuming. Once completed, the FIWCB were then characterized using dimensional measurement by digital analytical and digital vernier caliper for linear shrinkage and bulk density respectively. Water absorption test was also done to investigate the durability of the FIWCB. Results showed that with optimized firing temperature of 900 oC and SLS addition of 50% by weight as well as CS addition of 0.05 wt. % into CL soil had shown the best decrement in bulk density and linear shrinkage together with lowest water absorption rate of the FIWCB.