Utilization of gold tailings for the construction of foamed ceramics used in external insulation buildings

Abstract

The utilization of gold tailings and bentonite as raw materials for prepared foamed ceramic was studied. The effects of boric acid and titanium dioxide content on the properties and microstructures of foamed ceramic were studied from the aspects of bulk density, compressive strength, bending strength, phase composition, and micromorphology. These results show that the synergistic effect of boric acid and titanium dioxide leads to the crystallization of quartz, which enhanced the compressive strength and bending strength and decreased the thermal conductivity of foamed ceramics, while the bulk density increases gradually with the addition of titanium dioxide. Taking into account all of these properties, the optimal results are as follows: bending strength of 1.111 MPa, compressive strength of 1.165 MPa, bulk density of 0.258 g/cm3, the porosity of 81.89%, the thermal conductivity of 0.088 (W/(m⋅K)). This study indicated that gold tailings are a promising candidate for the preparation of foamed ceramics used as external insulation building materials.

Effect of Ca and Mg on the properties of foamed ceramics prepared with multisolid waste

“…Figure 5 shows a macroscopic view of foamed ceramics with 2% calcite. It can be seen that the sample has a uniform three‐dimensional closed‐cell structure, which makes it have the performance of lightweight and high strength, and it is possible to be used in light wall‐building materials 29 …”

“…It can be seen that the sample has a uniform three-dimensional closed-cell structure, which makes it have the performance of lightweight and high strength, and it is possible to be used in light wall-building materials. 29 Figure 6 shows the effect of the amount of calcite added on the bulk density, porosity, and compressive strength of the sample. As shown in Figure 6, when the calcite is between 0% and 8%.…”