This paper shows results obtained from durability tests on red ceramic bodies incorporated with granite waste, aiming to assess the long time behavior of the ceramic materials produced in Campos of Goytacazes, RJ. Results from characterization of the ceramic raw material are shown to clarify the influence on the degradation (weathering) process as well as the influence of the granite waste content. The raw material was obtained from a ceramic industry in Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, and the granite waste by-product is from a decorative rock industry in Cachoeiro do Itapemirim, ES. Mixing was obtained using 0%, 5% and 10% of waste, in weight, homogenized and molded in prismatic specimens. These specimens were led to dry and fired at 500 °C, 700 °C and 900 °C, in an oven. Two lots of samples were separated, being the first one used to the assessment of technological properties and the other to perform the weathering tests. In the lixiviation equipment, the samples were tested for 1500 h with intervals of 50 to 150 cycles for allowing them to dry and to soak. Changes in microstructure of the samples were observed after the weathering tests using scanning electron microscope. The results have shown that the granite waste incorporation in the raw material dramatically changes the weathering process.
red ceramic; granite waste; degradation
