TITLE:
Structural Characterization of Bauxite Red Mud to Utilization in Ceramic Wall/Roofing Tile: Effect of Temperature on Mechanical Properties and Physic-Chemical Stability
AUTHORS:
Ahmat Tom, Paul Nestor Djomou Djonga, Cornelius Tsamo, Hambate Gomdje Valery, Joshiane Azangueu, Sandrine Kamdoum Noukelag
KEYWORDS:
Bauxite, Red Mud, Characterization, Ceramics Wall Tile, Firing, Mechanical Properties
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Materials Physics and Chemistry,
Vol.12 No.1,
January
31,
2022
ABSTRACT: This present research work
is on the characterization of bauxite red mud (waste material) from Ngaoundal
for the manufacture of ceramic products. After the extraction process, the raw
material was characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Morphology,
mineral phases and chemical composition were determined by using
energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, X-ray diffractometer (XRD), X-ray
fluorescence (XRF). Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Thermal Gravimetric
Analysis (DSC-TGA), Infra-Red (IR), Particle size (PS) were also used. Results of red mud analysis show that major oxides were Fe2O3 (37.21%), Al2O3 (19.6%), SiO2 (7.68%), TiO2 (1.07%), Na2O (4.71%), and CaO (2.75%). These last oxides
require low temperature to melt and act as binders which link particles of red
mud during the sintering process. Presence of alkaline oxides is an appeal to
reduce energy consumption during ceramic manufacture process and to protect our
environment for sustainable development. Physical and mechanical properties of
fired red mud showed that the firing shrinkage, bulk density, and flexural
strength increase with firing temperature. Porosity and water absorption had
the same pattern and they decreased with the increase of
temperature. Chemical stability reveals that 10% material loss is obtained
after 7 days of treatment under acid-base conditions.