The influence of feldspar rock additions on densification and mechanical properties of ceramic membrane using economic raw materials

Abstract

Porous ceramic membranes have been successfully prepared by the roll pressing method using low cost local raw materials. The porous ceramic membranes were obtained by sintering three ceramic paste formulations containing raw clay, rice husk and feldspar rock particles (0, 10 and 20 wt%) at a temperature range of 1100 -1300 °C. The fired porous ceramic were characterized by determining their porosity, size pore, flexural strength, microstructure, water permeate flux and capacity of removed particles suspension. The porous ceramic produced had a pore volume of 26.36 to 55.08 %, an average pore diameter of 6.21 to 12.58 μm and a mechanical strength of 0.77 ± 0.13 to 16.21 ± 2.36 MPa. It has been shown that the addition of the feldspar rock in the membrane formulations contributes to increase vitrification and densification of the porous ceramic membrane during the low temperature sintering process while improving crystallization and the mullite content. In addition, the evaluation of the water flow shows that this membrane can be used in gravity filtration. A percentage removal of suspended particles of 96.93% and 96.81% respectively was obtained for the initial turbidities of 101 and 307 NTU.