Characterization of Sintered Ceramic Tiles Produced from Steel Slag

Benneth C. Chukwudi, Patrick.O. Ademusuru, Boniface A. Okorie

Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, Nigeria.
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imo State University, PMB 2000, Owerri, Nigeria.

DOI: 10.4236/jmmce.2012.119080                

Abstract

Ceramic tiles were processed in this present work using clay mineral and steel slag. Steel slag in the range of 0-100wt % was added to kaolinite clay. The blended samples were hydraulic pressed into rectangular moulds, oven dried and sintered to1200℃. Linear shrinkage, apparent porosity, water absorption, bulk density, and modulus of rupture of sintered specimens were examined. Phases present in the sintered products were identified using X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD), while the microstructural examination was conducted using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The elements present in the sintered products were identified using Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX). Phases like quartz, wol-lastonite, anorthite and enstatite were identified in the sintered products. The SEM revealed crystals embedded in the glassy matrix. EDX studies detected Aluminum (Al), Silicon (Si), Magnesium (Mg) and Calcium (Ca) as the major metal ions. Results obtained showed that samples containing 20-60wt% steel slag have very good usable ceramic tile properties.

Keywords

Sintering; Phases; Pig Iron; Mineral

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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