Sintering of sepiolite-rich by-products for the manufacture of lightweight aggregates: technological properties, thermal behavior and mineralogical changes

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3989/mc.2021.05620

Keywords:

Aggregate, Ceramic, Waste treatment, X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Sepiolite

Abstract


A sepiolite mining by-product (SEP) has been studied as major component for lightweight aggregate (LWA) manufacture. Pellet bursting during firing was avoided by the addition of 2.5 wt% of thermoplastic waste (P) and 2.5 wt% P + 2.5 wt% carbon fiber residue (FC) in powder form. The mixtures were pelletized and then sintered at 1225º˚C for 4 minutes in a rotary kiln. Highly porous white LWAs with good mechanical strength were produced. A mineralogical study revealed the formation of amorphous phase ( > 50%) and minor proportions of enstatite, protoenstatite and diopside. Quartz was the only inherited mineral, appearing in the form of isolated phenocrysts within a general porphyritic texture. The result of this study suggests the promising use of sepiolite (whether or not in residue form) for the manufacture of high quality LWAs.

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Published

2021-03-10

How to Cite

Moreno-Maroto, J. M. ., González-Corrochano, B. ., Alonso-Azcárate, J. ., & Martínez-García, C. . (2021). Sintering of sepiolite-rich by-products for the manufacture of lightweight aggregates: technological properties, thermal behavior and mineralogical changes. Materiales De Construcción, 71(341), e241. https://doi.org/10.3989/mc.2021.05620

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Section

Research Articles

Funding data

Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha
Grant numbers PEII-2014-025-P

European Social Fund
Grant numbers 2014/10620

European Social Fund
Grant numbers 2016/12998