Influence of Stone Cutting Waste Addition on Technological Properties of Ceramic Sanitaryware Bodies

Abstract

Usage of industrial wastes for the production of ceramic material is a crucial issue for preventing environmental pollution, reducing the utilization of natural raw materials, and abatement of production costs. In this study, the possibility of using the cutting waste of Nevsehir stones (Turkey) to make ceramic sanitaryware was explored. The compositions were prepared by partially replacing the clay and kaolin in the standard recipe with waste. The samples were shaped via the slip casting method and then fired in an industrial kiln. The fired samples were investigated for the firing shrinkage, water absorption, and deformation. The crystal phases and microstructure of the samples were identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), respectively. The results highlighted that the new sanitaryware samples with waste showed relatively higher water absorption and shrinkage values compared with the standard sample but they were still within the production standard limit. Amorphous behavior, quartz, and mullite phases were detected in all fired samples. SEM results of observed bodies show that the distribution of mullite and quartz crystals is homogenous. This study showed that cutting waste of Nevsehir stones can be a potential secondary raw material for the production of sanitaryware.