Ceramic tiles were processed in this present work using clay mineral and steel slag. Steel slag in the range of 0 -100 wt% was added to kaolinite clay. The blended samples were hydraulic pressed into rectangular moulds, oven dried and sintered to 1200˚C. Linear shrinkage, apparent porosity, water absorption, bulk density, and modulus of rupture of sintered specimens were examined. Phases present in the sintered products were identified using X-ray Diffractometer (XRD), while the microstructural examination was conducted using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The elements present in the sintered products were identified using Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX). Phases like quartz, wollastonite, anorthite and enstatite were identified in the sintered products. The SEM revealed crystals embedded in the glassy matrix. EDX studies detected Aluminum (Al), Silicon (Si), Magnesium (Mg) and Calcium (Ca) as the major metal ions. Results obtained showed that samples containing 20 -60 wt% steel slag have very good usable ceramic tile properties.

This present study has evaluated the physical and mechanical properties of ceramic tiles processed from steel slag. The chemical compositions of both samples were conducted using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Steel slag in the range of 0-100wt% was added to kaolinite clay. The blended samples were hydraulic pressed into rectangular moulds, oven dried and sintered within the temperature range of 1100°C - 1200°C. Surface appearance and colouration of sintered products were observed. Linear shrinkage, apparent porosity, water absorption, bulk density, apparent specific gravity and modulus of rupture of sintered samples were examined. Phases present were identified using X-ray diffraction (XRD), while microstructural examination was conducted using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Phases like quartz, wollastonite, enstatite, were identified. SEM showed considerable degree of vetrification at both temperatures. Results obtained showed that samples containing 25-75wt% steel slag have very good usable ceramic tile properties.

A model has been derived for periodic analysis of the quantity of water evaporated during thermo-processing of clay designated for production of oven refractory. The model; γ = exp lnt 1.3 2.9206 shows that the quantity of evaporated water during the drying process is dependent on the drying time, with the evaporating surface being constant. It was found that the validity of the model is rooted on the expression lnγ = (lnt/Logβ) N where both sides of the equation are correspondingly almost equal. The maximum deviation of the model-predicted quantity of evaporated water from the corresponding experimental value is less than 19% which is quite within the acceptable deviation range of experimental results. Water evaporation rate as obtained from experiment and derived model were evaluated to be 0.0536 and 0.0337g mins-1 respectively.