Eucalyptus sawdust utilization to massive ceramic brick production

Abstract

This research has as its main aims: to evaluate the Eucalyptus sawdust incorporation feasibility for ceramics production, analyzing in laboratory initial analysis the behavior of clay/sawdust mixture compared to a control treatment; to evaluate the chemical composition of the sawdust; to carry on a mineralogical analysis of the clay by X-Ray diffraction test. In order to do that, ten treatments for bricks production had been improved, based on the following clay/sawdust rates: 1:0, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1, 7:1, 8:1, 9:1 and 10:1. The physical and mechanical properties of the samples were subsequently determined. It was verified that there are technical viability of incorporation in different mixtures of clay/sawdust of Eucalyptus for production of ceramic products. In relation to mechanical resistance of the produced bricks a good incorporation was of eight parts of clay and one of sawdust. In relation to the other physical properties there is an incorporation of at least six parts of clay and one of sawdust. In the mineralogical clay analysis by X-Ray diffraction it was characterized as caulinitic. Accordingly to the accomplished tests, it was observed that the average weight of the proof bodies with this incorporation was 12,7% smaller than the ones constituted only of clay.