The Studyof Insulating Properties of Refractory Bricks Produced Using Melon Seed Husksas Poreformer

Abstract

This study investigated the physical, mechanical and thermal characteristics of insulating refractory bricks produced from Nigerian clay blended with melon seed husk. The aim is to reduce the cost of production which arises from importation. This is due to lack of high-quality domestic insulating refractory bricks in most high temperature industries in Nigeria. The test samples were produced by mixing clay and melon seed husk having grain sizes of 212 - 300 μm. The samples were oven dried and fired at temperatures 950℃ to 1150℃ at 50℃ intervals. Physical, mechanical, thermal tests, chemical compositions, Mineralogical and Microstructural analysis were conducted. The results showed that, clay with 25 and 30 wt.% melon seed husks possessed the required refractory properties with cold crushing strength above the recommended ASTM Standard of 1000 kN/m2.