The incorporation of an oily waste from the petroleum extraction sector into a red ceramic body was evaluated with respect to the changes produced on the physical and mechanical properties of the ceramic. Compositions were prepared with amounts of the waste of 0, 1, 3, 5 and 10 wt.%, used to mold specimens by uniaxial pressure before firing at 900ºC. The evaluated physical and mechanical properties were: bulk density, water absorption, linear shrinkage and flexural rupture strength measured by the 3 points test. The fracture surface of the specimens was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the waste addition to the clayey ceramic contributed to decrease of the porosity and, consequently, to improve the quality of the ceramic. This was attributed to the heat power of the waste that effectively contributed to the sintering reactions.
clay; red ceramic; properties; oily waste
