Processing of red ceramic using a fast-firing cycle

Abstract

This work reports on the processing of red ceramic for civil construction using fast-firing cycles. The firing cycle is an important variable in the processing of red ceramic materials, which contributes to a high consumption of energy. The red ceramic pieces were prepared by industrial extrusion and fired at firing temperatures varying from 700 ºC to 1100 ºC using different firing cycles (slow-firing cycle - 1º C/min and fast-firing cycle - 10 ºC/min and 20 °C/min). The technological properties (linear shrinkage, water absorption, apparent porosity, apparent density, and flexural strength) as function of the firing temperature and firing cycle are investigated. The development of the microstructure was followed by SEM/SEI. The results showed that fast-firing red ceramics exhibits technological properties and microstructure comparable to conventionally fired red ceramics, resulting in great advantages in energy saving.