Study of red ceramic residues as pigments in matrices based on white Portland cement

Abstract

The present study evaluated the use of red ceramic residues (RCR) as pigments in matrices based on White Portland cement. Five mortars were prepared for the present study: control mortar (M0), at 1:2,3 ratio (cement: sand) and water/cement ratio of 0.60, other four mortars were prepared containing RCR in 10% (M10), 20% (M20), 50% (M50), 100% (M100) of volume in replace to the sand. Colorimetric tests indicated a significant increase in the coloring, due to the increase of the RCR used. Tests of resistance to compression strength indicated a significant increase in the results as there was an increase in the substitution content of the sand by RCR. In the flexural tensile strength was no significant influence for contents of up to 50%. Therefore, the RCR showed potential as a pigmentation product and can contribute to the increase in compressive strength in Portland cement-based matrices.