Clay Tiles Production Using Palm Ash, Spent Bleaching Earth, and Palm Fiber as Substitute Materials

Abstract

The objective of this research was to study the clay tile (CT) production using palm ash (PA), spent bleaching earth (SBE) and palm fiber (PF) as substitute materials. The effect of ingredients and PF length on CT qualities were investigated. The ingredient of clay : PA : SBE : PF used three proportions as following 58 : 20 : 20 : 2, 56 : 20 : 20 : 4, and 54 : 20 : 20 : 6 (% by weight, wt). Each ingredient used the fiber length of 15 mm and 25 mm. The crystalline phase of raw materials was inspected. The CT after production were examined qualities as accorded with Thai industrial standard (TIS) in terms of water absorption, bulk density, acid corrosion and transverse breaking strength (TBS). Results showed that the clay tile qualities in terms of bulk density and acid corrosion were in the acceptable level as 1.45-1.65 g/cm3 and less than 0.03%, respectively. The water absorption quality was more than 6.5% meanwhile the TBS was below 600 N. Both later criteria were not pass the TIS standard, but it should be improved for further study. Hence, this research also revealed that the all wastes (PA, SBE, PF) from palm oil industry can be used to produce the clay tile.