Investigation of sanitaryware scrap behaviour in terracotta bodies

Abstract

In this paper, an investigation into a potential use of unfired body scrap from a local sanitaryware manufacturer in commercial terracotta production was presented. Experiments were achieved under laboratory conditions by preparing several compositions in four groups with up to 70 wt-% sanitaryware scrap addition. Representative samples were shaped both by wet pressing and extrusion to see the effect of forming method and fired at a suitable temperature. Some important physical properties of the resultant products including linear drying shrinkage, linear firing shrinkage and water absorption were determined as a function of the increasing scrap content. The phase content of the fired compositions was determined by XRD. The relevant polished surfaces were also examined using SEM. The results showed that the physical properties improved on increasing the scrap content. The results indicated a prospect for using the sanitaryware scrap as a raw material in mixtures with clay for the production of terracotta bodies.