Fabrication and Characterization of Ceramic Tile Incorporated with Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) Slag: Effects of Slurry's Particle Size

摘要

This study aims to evaluate the effects of slurry's particle size on the properties of the ceramic tile. Results obtained shows that introduction of mechanical milling (ball milling) on the ceramic tile's slurry contributed to a decrease in apparent porosity (0.54 to 0.42%) and water absorption (1.39 to 0.89%), accompanied by increment in modulus of rupture (53.51 to 61.26 MPa) of the tile. Reduction of particle size (6.28 to 3.76μm) due to milling led to enhancement of densification process and reduced degree of porosity, thus improved the properties of the tile. In addition, the presence of anorthite and wollastonite crystalline phases due to interaction between minerals in EAF slag and clay is another factor that contributed to higher MOR of the tile. Enhancement of densification process led to formation of greater amount of these reinforcement crystals, and eventually improved the MOR of the tile. Therefore, the ceramic tile has great potential to be made into high strength, robust and heavy-duty floor tile