Incorporation of quartzite waste in mixtures used to prepare sanitary ware

Quartzite is a mineral that contains oxides that are present in the principal raw materials utilized in traditional ceramic production. However, during its extraction and processing, large amounts of waste are generated. This study, therefore, sought to investigate the incorporation of quartzite waste into the ceramic mass, replacing up to 25% of the feldspar by weight. Both, the waste and the conventional raw materials (clay, feldspar, quartz, and kaolin) were characterized. The compositions were formulated based on common industrial products. Suspensions were prepared to evaluate pH and deflocculant content. The specimens were produced using the slip casting process, dried, and fired at 1200°C. The ceramic masses containing up to 15% waste had yield strength values greater than 35MPa, water absorption in the 0.5% range and shrinkage from firing within the range recommended for sanitary ware manufacture. It was concluded that the quartzite waste can partially replace, up to 15wt%, the feldspar in ceramics for sanitary ware production.