Utilization potential of silica fume in fired clay bricks

Abstract

Silica fume (SF) is an inorganic waste material which is generated during the elemental silicon and ferro-silicon alloy production. Due to the unique properties, it is utilized in several industries. However, very little information is available on the utilization potential of SF in traditional clay brick industry. In this study, the effect of different quantities of SF addition on the properties of fired clay brick was investigated. Test samples were produced by uniaxial pressing and fired at 800, 900, 1000 and 1100 degrees C. The microstructures of the samples were investigated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The strength of the fired samples at 1000 and 1100 degrees C were significantly improved with SF addition. It was concluded that the reactive amorphous nature of SF particles enhances the sintering action locally and this gives better strength behaviour. SF addition also improved the efflorescence behaviour of the bricks. It was concluded that the effect of SF addition on the fired clay brick mainly depends on the firing temperature. At low firing temperatures, SF addition has a tendency to decrease the bulk density. However at higher firing temperatures, SF addition allows better sintering action with a drastic increase in bulk density.

Recycling of Cigarette Butts in Fired Clay Bricks: A New Laboratory Investigation

“…Analysis of efflorescence was carried out for the clay bricks and the clay-CB bricks. Efflorescence is the formation of salt deposits on or near the surface of the brick that causes a change in appearance [56]. For comparison purposes, 10 samples were prepared and sorted into two pairs so that both specimens of each pair had the same appearance.…”

Utilization of coal gangue for the production of brick

“…Therefore, many industrial wastes have been recycled to prepare brick. The utilized industrial wastes include fly ash [5][6][7], red mud [8,9], hematite tailings [10], Mn-Fe solid wastes [11], marble powder [12], quarry residue combined with blast-furnace slag [13], titania slag [14], spent filtration earth or spent bleaching earth [15], urban river sediments [16], sludge [17][18][19][20], and silica fume [21]. However, the utilization rates of these wastes in brick are relatively low.…”

“…On the other hand, the microstructure and physico-mechanical properties of a clay ceramic product are related not only to the mineralogical composition of raw materials but also to the preparation process, especially the sintering temperature [22,23]. Traditional clay bricks are commonly sintered at 900-1100°C [21]. Addition of industrial wastes improved the properties of sintered bricks [5,9,12,21], but the optimal sintering temperature varied with the percentage of the industrial wastes to the clay [5,9].…”

“…Traditional clay bricks are commonly sintered at 900-1100°C [21]. Addition of industrial wastes improved the properties of sintered bricks [5,9,12,21], but the optimal sintering temperature varied with the percentage of the industrial wastes to the clay [5,9].…”

Investigation of using granite sludge waste and silica fume in clay bricks at different firing temperatures

“…Baspinar et al [8] discussed the effect of different amounts of SF addition on the properties of fired clay bricks. The test samples were produced using uniaxial pressing and fired at different temperatures ranging between 800°C and 1100°C.…”