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Implications and Characterization of Waste Glass Cullet – Kaolinite Clay Ceramics
ABUH, MA; AGULANNA, CA; CHIMEZIE, PE & BETHEL-WALI, JU
Abstract
Cullet(x) reinforced ceramics (100 – x) made from Ukpor kaolinite clay by dry-pressing and fired at
temperatures (T0C) for 900≥T≤ 12500C with 0≤x ≤40% wt was investigated for its ceramics application. The chemical
profile of the samples (cullet and clay) was determined by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (A.A.S) technique. Mineral
composition was determined by XRD while SEM was employed to view the phase modification. The particle size of the
raw materials was maintained at <180μm. The mechanical properties, micro-structure, and phase composition are
discussed with respect to cullet content and temperature variation. It was observed that production temperature decreased
with increase in cullet. Micro-structural study showed a granulated morphology and the formation of phase-boundary as
granules fuse due to clay cullet crystallization with increase in cullet and temperature. Electrical insulation is greatly
improved while thermal insulation is reduced due to the closure of pores with increase in cullet and temperature
respectively. The mechanical properties of flexural strength, porosity, bulk and apparent density, shrinkage and water
absorption were greatly modified for every 10% increase in cullet content. Production temperature greatly reduced with
increase in cullet suggesting longer lifespan for the kilns and furnaces used. The study supports the utilization of cullet in
the production of ceramics, a good reason to recycle waste to wealth but in excess of 20% cullet, production temperature
must not exceed 11000C due to development of cracks.
Keywords
Bulk Density; cullet; porcelain; porosity; Ukpor clay (U.C); temperature
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