Abstract
Clays are key components of mass for traditional ceramic materials production because they ensure plasticity in the shaping step and mechanical resistance after firing. They can also be used in refractory ceramic formulations due to the development of mullite phase at high temperatures. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of composition, maturation time, and firing temperature on clay formulations for use in manufacturing refractory materials. The clays were characterized by particle size analysis, chemical analysis, refractoriness, X-ray diffraction, as well as differential thermal and thermogravimetric analyses. Formulations containing kaolin with ball clay and kaolin with smectite were submitted to a maturation period of 1 to 4 weeks. Next, the masses were shaped by uniaxial pressing to obtain test specimens, which were then subjected to heat treatment at 1200, 1300 and 1400 °C, and the following properties were subsequently analyzed: water absorption, linear firing shrinkage, and three-point flexural strength. The results showed that after firing the samples had quartz, cristobalite and mullite phases, with the latter as the major phase. The firing temperature was the parameter that had the greatest influence on the evaluated properties, with the highest temperature (1400 °C) exerting the most influence.
Keywords:
clay; composition; refractory
