Development of composite ceramic material using cullet

Abstract

The research presents the results of the charge development for producing ceramic composite material, where ceramic particles of the crystalline structure serve as filler, and vitreous amorphous phase obtained by the introduction of the cullet and the flux into the charge at different firing temperatures serve as a binder. Herewith the cullet is used as a flux-strengthening additive, which is a source of vitreous phase, and the flux reduces the amount of the formed vitreous phase. Boric acid, feldspar, and dolomite separately have been used as fluxes in the current research. In the conducted experiments, the charge basic component was low-plasticity clay, which can be used for producing high quality products only with the introduction of functional additives. Basing on the obtained data, it has been stated that higher values of strength and lower values of water absorption for the developed material can be achieved at the introduction of 30 wt. % of the cullet and 2.5 wt.% of boric acid as a flux at the highest firing temperature of 1050oC. The developed charge composition facilitates broadening the construction materials production resource base due to the usage of low-demand low-plasticity clay and glass works waste. The material produced on the basis of this charge corresponds to the requirements for the construction materials used for indoor and outdoor facing of facades, socles of the buildings and facilities.