The aim of this work was to recycling a granite sawing waste from ornamental stone industry located at Espírito Santo State by use as additive in the manufacture of ceramic products for civil construction. This waste is a non-biodegradable material that as disposed generates pollution and environmental damage. Thus, waste sample was selected so that their characteristics regarding chemical composition, X-ray diffraction, particle size analysis, specific mass and plasticity could be studied. Mixtures containing up to 10 wt.% waste were prepared, and sintered at seven different temperatures ranging between 850 ºC and 1150 ºC. The formation and evolution of crystalline phases was evaluated by X-ray diffraction. The physical-mechanical properties as a function of sintering temperature and waste addition are presented. The results revealed that the waste is a polimineralic material non plastic rich in quartz, feldspars, mica, and calcite. A series of phase transformations take place during the sintering. In addition, the sintered bodies containing granite sawing waste are adequate for the red ceramic field, resulting in great advantages in waste minimization and self-sustainable development.
recycling; granite waste; red ceramic; ceramic masses
