Physico-Mechanical Properties of an Aluminosilicate Refractory Castable Obtained After Chamotte Waste Recycling by Firing Method

Leonel Díaz-Tato, Jesús Fernando López-Perales, Yadira González-Carranza, José Eulalio Contreras de León and Edén Amaral Rodríguez-Castellanos ()
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Leonel Díaz-Tato: Facultad de Ingeniería Mecánica y Eléctrica (FIME), Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL), San Nicolás de los Garza 66450, Mexico
Jesús Fernando López-Perales: Facultad de Ingeniería Mecánica y Eléctrica (FIME), Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL), San Nicolás de los Garza 66450, Mexico
Yadira González-Carranza: Facultad de Ingeniería Mecánica y Eléctrica (FIME), Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL), San Nicolás de los Garza 66450, Mexico
José Eulalio Contreras de León: Facultad de Ingeniería Mecánica y Eléctrica (FIME), Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL), San Nicolás de los Garza 66450, Mexico
Edén Amaral Rodríguez-Castellanos: Facultad de Ingeniería Mecánica y Eléctrica (FIME), Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL), San Nicolás de los Garza 66450, Mexico

Waste, 2025, vol. 3, issue 4, 1-40

Abstract: Developing sustainable ceramic formulations that integrate industrial by-products addresses the high energy and raw material demands of refractory manufacturing while advancing circular economy goals. This study investigates the recycling of chamotte waste from rejected fired electrical porcelain as a partial substitute (5 and 10 wt.%) for flint clay in aluminosilicate refractory castables. Samples were fired at 110, 815, 1050, and 1400 °C and evaluated for bulk density, apparent porosity, cold crushing strength, and flexural strength. Microstructural and mineralogical changes were analyzed by SEM and XRD. Incorporating 10 wt.% chamotte waste fostered an in situ mullite-reinforced microstructure, enhancing mechanical strength (58 MPa—CCS, 18.8 MPa—MOR) and lowering porosity (24.4%), demonstrating chamotte’s dual role as recycled raw material and reinforcement phase for densification and durability. These properties matched or surpassed those of the conventional formulation, with strength improvements of up to 44%. The findings demonstrate that high-temperature industrial waste can be effectively valorized in advanced refractories, reducing reliance on virgin raw materials, diverting waste from landfills, and promoting industrial symbiosis within the ceramics and metallurgical sectors.

Keywords: chamotte porcelain waste; refractory castables; sustainable; recycling; mechanical properties; mullite; anorthite (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q16 Q18 Q2 Q20 Q23 Q24 Q25 Q28 Q3 Q31 Q38 Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jwaste:v:3:y:2025:i:4:p:35-:d:1773387

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