Incorporation of granite waste into vitrified ceramic tiles

The incorporation of a granite waste into a vitrified ceramic tile body was investigated. The granite waste came from an industry of stone sawing operations located in the municipal area of Santo Antonio de Padua, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The investigated compositions were elaborated substituting partially and totally the feldspar by the granite waste. Cylindrical specimen were prepared by uniaxial pressure at 30 MPa and then fired at temperatures varying from 1050 to 1200 degrees C. Fired properties such as bulk density, linear shrinkage, water absorption and diametrical compression were determined. The microstructure of fired samples was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the replacement of feldspar by granite waste promoted a better vitrification, decreasing the open porosity and increasing the mechanical strength.