The industry of electro-fused alumina production actually generates a waste during its processing, however, the inclusion of wastes into productive cycles represents an alternative form of restoration, which is interesting from both environmental and economic standpoints. This work has as aim the characterization of the electro-fused alumina production waste and the evaluation of its suitability a alternative ceramic raw material for the production of bricks and roof tiles. The waste was characterized by chemical composition determination, X-ray diffraction and particle size distribution determination. Several formulations were prepared and samples bodies were prepared by uniaxial pressing. The sample bodies were fired at different temperatures. Sintered samples were characterized in terms of water absorption, firing linear shrinkage and mechanical strength. The results showed that the waste is basically composed by alumina and small amounts of metals and fluxing oxides and that is possible incorporations of up to 20% in formulations for the production of ceramics bricks and roof tiles.
waste; recycling; ceramic bricks; roof tiles
