PRODUCTION OF LIGHTWEIGHT AGGREGATE AND CERAMIC BALLS USING GOLD TAILINGS, RED MUD AND LIMESTONE

摘要

Lightweight aggregate and ceramic balls were produced from a mixture of gold tailings, red mud and limestone by using a high temperature process. Raw materials were quantitatively analyzed and hazardous materials content was checked by chemical analysis. Oxide systems for the lightweight aggregate and ceramic balls were chosen based on the CaO-FeO_t-Al_2O_3-SiO_2 quaternary system. Sintering, softening and melting behavior of the samples were investigated to optimize the sintering conditions. Phase change during sintering was observed by X-ray diffraction. Microscopic analysis by SEM/EDS was carried out to check the morphological changes of the samples.