Production of porous and light-weight bricks with acceptable flexural strength is accomplished. Sawdust was used as an additive to an earthenware brick to produce the pores. SEM-EDS, XRD and XRF analysis of the raw materials and the elaborated refractory were performed. Mixtures containing sawdust were prepared at different proportions (up to 30%). Apparent porosity at 1600 °C was investigated with the bulk density, water absorption, firing shrinkage and flexural strength. Microstructural investigation was carried out by both natural light microscopy and polarized light microscopy. The results obtained showed that the samples tested here maintained their shape without undergoing any deformation up to 1600 °C. The use of sawdust decreased the fired density of the bricks down to 1.24 g/cm³.
moroccan mullite; porous refractories; porosity
