Using Fly Ash as a Raw Material for Ceramic Tiles

Abstract

Ceramic tiles are among the most commonly used ceramic products. However, the excessive consumption of natural resources poses a significant challenge for this industry. This article presents test results using 0-20 wt.% fly ash as a raw material for producing ceramic tiles fired at 1150°C. Fly ash serves as an alternative to traditional raw materials. The findings demonstrated that a fly ash content of 7.5 wt.% was optimal, resulting in the highest bending strength (45.10 MPa) and favorable values for other parameters, including volumetric density (2.41 g/cm³), actual density (2.48 g/cm³), apparent density (2.43 g/cm³), and water absorption (0.28%), all of which remained within permissible limits. Analysis using X-ray Diffraction and Differential Scanning Calorimetry revealed that the primary mineral constituents of the product are quartz, mullite, fayalite, sillimanite, and albite. Notably, fly ash plays a pivotal role in facilitating mullite formation.