Utilization of wood saw dust as partial replacement of rail material in Porous Ceramic production

This paper studies the application of sawdust materials in the production of porous ceramic. First, the mineralogical and chemical composition of clays was determined. Next, porous ceramic was fabricated with different quantities of materials (80wt. % for sawdust, 20 wt. % for china clay), (90 wt. % and 10 wt. % for china clay) and (100 wt. % of china clay). These porous ceramic was fired at 900°C, 950 °C and 1000°C. The effect of adding this sawdust on the technological behaviour of the porous ceramic was assessed by drying and firing shrinkage. water absorption, porosity, bulk density and structure. The results have shown that the optimum sintering temperature is 1000 °C. Below this temperature, at 1000 °C, increased open porosity was observed, which decreased the compressive strength of the porous ceramic. Based on the results obtained, the optimum amounts of waste were 10wt. % sawdust 90 wt. % china clay. These percentages produced porous ceramic whose mechanical properties were suitable for use as secondary raw materials in porous ceramic production.