Manufacture of Ceramic Bodies by Using a Mud Waste from the TiO₂ Pigment Industry

Abstract:

The main objective of this paper is focused in the use of waste generated by the TiO₂ pigment industry, ilmenite mud (MUD), on the production of ceramic bodies. These ceramic bodies were produced from mixtures of a commercial red stoneware mixture (RSM) with different concentrations of mud (3, 5, 7, 10, 30 and 50 wt%). The samples were sintered to simulate a fast-firing process. The sintering behaviour of the fired samples was evaluated according to ISO rules by linear shrinkage, water absorption and porosity measurements. Both green powder and fired samples were characterised by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC/TG), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and bending strength measurements. Moreover, the activity concentrations of radionuclides were measured by high-resolution low-background gamma spectrometry, because this mud is a NORM (Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material) waste. Finally, the TCLP leaching test (Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure, USEPA) was performed to assess the risks of use tiles from an environmental perspective. The results demonstrated that MUD can be successfully valorisated in the manufacture of red stoneware ceramic bodies with similar, or even better technological properties than commercial materials used currently.

• Periodical: Key Engineering Materials (Volume 663)
• Pages: 75-85
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.663.75
• Online since: September 2015
• Authors: M. Contreras*, M.I. Martín, M.J. Gázquez, Maximina Romero, J.P. Bolívar
• Keywords: Ceramic Tile, Ilmenite Mud, NORM Waste, Red Stoneware, Valorisation

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