A preliminary research on the properties of lightweight expanded clay aggregate

Abstract

In the present study, lightweight expanded clay aggregates were produced from clay, waste brick powders, albite floatation waste, and coal at various temperatures ranged from 900 °C to 1250 °C. After the production, the physical and microstructural properties of the aggregates were determined. The effect of clay type, treatment (firing) temperature, amount and type of a pore forming agent on the water absorption, specific gravity, pore structure, and surface texture of the expanded granules were examined. Test results showed that lightweight aggregates with almost 0% water absorption can be produced from clay by utilising albite floatation waste as a pore forming agent. The effects of type of raw material and treatment temperature on the properties of the aggregates were found to be significant. This was proved by microstructure and surface properties obtained by means of optical microscope. The results also revealed that the waste brick powders can also be used in the production of lightweight expanded granules. However, the specific gravity and water absorption values of the aggregates produced from clay were found to be generally lower than those produced from brick powders.