Characteristics of lightweight diatomite‑based insulating firebricks

Abstract

This study covers the physical, thermal, mechanical, and microstructural properties of porous ceramic materials produced from mixtures containing refractory clay and diatomite in different proportions. The raw materials were characterized by chemical (X-ray fluorescence), thermal (thermogravimetry), morphological (scanning electron microscopy), and phase (X-ray diffraction) analysis techniques. The prepared samples were sintered at different firing temperatures between 900 and 1100 °C in an electrical furnace. The bulk densities, apparent porosities, linear dimensional shrinkages, compression strengths, thermal conductivities, and microstructural properties of the sintered samples were investigated. The porosity of the sample with 90% diatomite content increased to 55.4%, density decreased to 1.02 g/cm3, and thermal conductivity coefficient decreased to 0.32 W/mK.