Use of Iranian steel slag for production of ceramic floor tiles

In this paper, the authors have tried to introduce the use of electric arc furnace steel slag as a raw material in the floor tile body. Experimental samples were prepared with different amounts of slag (10-50 wt-%) using the die pressing method. Fabricated samples were fired in an industrial roller kiln at 1140°C. Thermal behaviour of the samples was investigated by simultaneous thermal analysis and dilatometery. X-ray diffraction analysis identified Wustite (FeO), as the major phase in the used slag. The effect of slag addition on the strength of experimental samples was evaluated by four-point bending strength test. Sintering behaviour of different samples was investigated by measuring shrinkage, relative density and water absorption. Results showed that addition of more than 40 wt-% slag to the base body generates closed porosities in the specimens due to the bloating phenomenon which reduces the bending strength. The wear resistance test on this sample confirmed that it can be used as a standard floor tile.