The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the incorporation of iron ore tailings on the microstructure of a clayey ceramic body. Formulations were prepared with up to 30 wt.% of tailings, used for fabrication pressed samples that were fired at 700, 900 and 1100ºC in a laboratory furnace. The microstructure of the fractured region of the ceramics was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction and mercury porosimetry. The results showed that the addition of iron ore waste in the clayey ceramic body significantly changes the microstructure of ceramic. Incorporation of up to 10 wt% is beneficial to the quality of the ceramic by means of open porosity reduction.
Clayey ceramic; waste; microstructure; iron ore
