Valorization of Al slag in the production of green ceramic tiles: Effect of experimental conditions on microstructure and crystalline phase composition

Abstract

This work reports the results of an investigation aimed at the development of sintered glass¿ceramic tiles by the sinter¿crystallization of mixtures composed of aluminum slag and reclaimed packaging glass. The thermal behaviors of mixtures incorporating 50 and 60 wt% Al slag were established by differential thermal analysis (DTA). Green compacts were sintered in a temperature range of 800°C¿1050°C and then soaked for 10¿60 minutes. The mineralogical characterizations of the sintered materials were obtained by X¿ray diffraction (XRD). The achieved results indicated that the sintering of aluminum slag and packaging glass reclaimed led to a glass¿ceramic material composed mainly of needle¿like crystals of wollastonite (CaSiO3). The bloating of samples during firing was evaluated according to a Cougny predictive diagram. After initial observations and according to bending strength characterizations, sintered tiles prepared from aluminum slag and glassy sand are appropriate for floor pavement and wall covering.