Valorization of granite micronized stones wastes for eco-friendly production of fired clay bricks

Abstract

Construction and mining industries around the globe have been criticized for production of enormous solid wastes that have potential environmental impacts. Therefore, this study presents a feasible approach to recover and utilize granite micronized stones waste for production of eco-friendly bricks. This research work, aimed at substituting a natural clay with granite powder to produce value-added bricks with pronounced physical–mechanical properties. The micronized granite waste stones were crushed and ground to obtain a fine powder sample. Thereafter, different batch compositions containing a varied proportions of granite powder were prepared and fired at different sintering temperatures: 900, 1000 and 1100 °C. The raw materials and bricks were characterized for their chemical compositions, microstructural, mineralogical and physical–mechanical properties. The results showed that, an increase in granite waste powder and sintering temperature enhanced the quality of fired clay bricks in terms of mechanical strength and decreased simultaneously the apparent porosity and water absorption. The final experimental approach showed that, the possibility to produce eco-friendly bricks containing up to 30 wt% of granite powder with enhanced engineering properties fired at 1100 °C is promising. Graphic abstract

A Novel Approach for the Reuse of Waste from the Extractive and Processing Industry of Natural Stone Binders: Development of Stone Composites

“…The micronized granite waste was processed into a fine powder. This powder was then incorporated into various batch compositions with differing ratios and fired at temperatures ranging from 900 to 1100 • C. The outcomes revealed the ability to manufacture bricks containing as much as 30% granite powder, displaying enhanced engineering properties especially when fired at 1100 • C [14].…”

Using mordenite-rich tuff as a natural clay replacement in fired clay brick production

“…MT is a molecular sieve because of its microporous nature. Nevertheless, since the fluxing agents had not yet melted to produce a sufficient glassy phase and because less liquid phase formed to fill the macro and micropores embedded in brick matrices, the bricks containing MT were not effectively vitrified at the firing temperature of 900 °C [22]. Because MT had a high silica concentration (i.e., more than 60%), the cohesiveness between the particles was destroyed, making the brick brittle [23].…”