Reciclagem de resíduo da produção da alumina eletrofundida visando sua utilização como matéria-prima cerâmica alternativa.

Abstract

Inclusion of wastes into productive cycles represents an alternative form of restoration, which is interesting from both environmental and economic standpoints. In this work electrofused alumina production waste was characterized and its suitability as alternative ceramic raw material analyzed using statistical design of mixture experiments methodology. The waste was characterized through EDX, DRX and particle size distribution determination. Nine formulations using the raw materials, waste, feldspar, kaolin and ball clay, were selected and used in the mixture design. Test specimens were fired and characterized to determine their water absorption and modulus of rupture. The results indicated that the waste was composed mainly by Al2O3, that presented high amount of fluxing oxides and have high amount of fine particles. Regression models, correlating the properties with the composition, were successfully calculated. The significance and validity of the models were confirmed by statistical analysis. The regression models can be used to optimize the waste content in ceramic compositions. The results showed that formulations containing up to 50% of waste could be used in the production of ceramic tiles.