Study of Raw Materials with the Aim of Obtaining Ceramic Filler and Heat- Insulating and Structural Wall Ceramics

The article presents the results of a comprehensive study of the chemical and mineralogical composition and the physical and mechanical properties of raw materials in the form of granulated blast furnace slag used at the Karaganda metallurgical plant of JSC ArselorMittal Temirtau, raw clay, silica rock – gaize and bentonite clay from the Pogodaevsk field in Western Kazakhstan. The composition of two kinds of raw materials was studied: 1. Loam 70–90%; blast-furnace granulated slag 10–30% and 2. Gaize 75–97%; Bentonite slurry 3–25%. The first composition is intended for obtaining ceramic filler, the second composition for obtaining heat-insulating structural wall ceramics. Based on the studied compositions, pellet samples were prepared along with ceramic cubes. The obtained samples were annealed in an electric furnace at 1,000–1,100°C and 950–1,000°C, respectively. The heat-treated samples were subjected to physical and mechanical tests for determining the average density, compressive strength, water absorption, and thermal conductivity. Pellet samples had the compressive strength of 9.2–13.4 MPa, and the samples of insulating ceramics – 9.6–14.2 MPa. The heat conductivity for the filler was 0.1–0.24 W/(m °C), for the wall ceramics - 0.2 to 0.52 W/(m °C). Thus, the possibility of obtaining the efficient and highly needed materials in the form of ceramic filler and insulating structural wall ceramics based on the developed composites has been found.