The effects of cement raw mix waste dust on thermal properties of ceramic wall tile bodies

The recycling of industrial wastes has in recent years become a priority issue. The relevant work on reducing the adverse effects of industrial wastes is becoming more important. Farina (raw mix) is a crude mixture obtained by grinding the raw materials used in cement production. The oxides at a high rate ensure that the cement raw mix waste dust is a good source of raw material in ceramic wall tile body production. This study used 2%, 3%, 5% and 10% cement raw mix waste dust instead of calcite, which is used in a standard wall tile recipe. Another industrial waste, marble dust, was also used as a source of CaCO₃. The physical and mechanical properties of prepared samples such as firing shrinkage, dry and fired strength, and water absorption were examined. And firing behavior using a non-contact optical dilatometer was also studied. The study showed that the addition of cement waste raw mix dust improves physical and mechanical properties. Dry strength and bending strength increased as the amount of cement waste raw mix dust increase. Bulk density also increased with the addition of cement waste raw mix dust. Especially, 50% increase in dry strength was achieved with the addition of cement waste raw mix dust instead of calcite. The sintering rate (dy/dt) was negatively affected, and sintering slowed down when the higher amount of the addition cement waste raw mix dust. The study showed that cement waste raw mix waste dust and marble dust can be used as alternative raw materials for ceramic wall tiles up to 5 wt % instead of CaCO₃.