Ceramic Tile Based on Local Hydromica Clay and Pegmatite Dust Removal Waste

Abstract

The goal of the present contribution is to study the possible use of local clay of hydromica type for facing tile production. Pegmatite dust removal waste from the Chupa Milling and Dressing Factory was added as flux to the clay. Mineralogical, chemical and grain-size analyses of the clay and waste were performed. The mineral composition of the waste and clay were analyzed using the laboratory equipment of the Analytical Centre at the Institute of Geology, Karelian Research Centre, RAS. Experimental samples of ceramic tile were produced and the physico-mechanical properties of the products were assessed. The ceramics produced can be used for facing walls and furnaces. Local clay of hydromica type and pegmatite dust removal waste can be used to increase the mechanical bending strength and heat resistance of facing tiles, to decrease their thermal conductivity in comparison with samples containing clay, kaolin, feldspar and lime and to contribute to pegmatite waste utilization.