MOSCOW, October 24. Scientists from NArFU received samples of durable ceramic clinker bricks from waste from diamond mining enterprises. As noted at the university, these products are able to withstand more than 75 cycles of freezing and thawing, resist fire, chemical and mechanical influences, and are also harmless to health.
In the course of the work, specialists from the Northern (Arctic) Federal University named after M.V. Lomonosov (NAFU) studied groups of rocks (argillites, siltstones and sandstones) obtained as a result of open-pit mining, then, according to them, they successfully conducted laboratory and semi-factory tests to obtain prototypes of ceramic clinker bricks.
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At the first stage, they selected the technological parameters for producing ceramic products using the semi-dry pressing method. 54 samples were made from highly dispersed powdered argillite (non-wetting clay) using the semi-dry pressing method. The humidity of the raw materials, pressing pressure and processing temperature varied (950 degrees, 1000 degrees, 1050 degrees).
At the second stage, scientists determined the possibility of producing ceramic products from argillite using plastic molding.
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“Using the plastic molding method, it is possible to produce mudstone bricks with strength M400, density (1800–1900 kg/m3), water absorption in the range of 10 to 12 percent, which meets the requirements of regulatory documents,” said the head of the Department of Geology and Mining at the Higher School energy, oil and gas NArFU Vladimir Skripnichenko.
The final stage was the production of clinker Lego bricks (250x125x65 millimeters) using the semi-dry pressing method.
15 kilograms of argillite were selected, the crushed dry mass of which was ground to a homogeneous state. The finished mixture was moistened with water evenly in a concrete mixer, the press powder was processed in a press at a pressure of 40 tons.
The resulting samples were dried for 24 hours, gradually dried to a constant weight (at temperatures: 30 degrees for one hours, 40 degrees — one hour, 150 degrees — three hours). Then the samples were placed in a muffle furnace and fired at a given temperature for ten hours.
According to university experts, the advantages of the resulting clinker brick include its strength and low hygroscopicity. This product can withstand more than 75 cycles of defrosting and freezing, is resistant to fire, chemical and mechanical influences, does not change color when exposed to sunlight and is harmless to health.
At this stage, the team of authors plans to prepare investment project for the construction of a clinker brick plant at a diamond deposit.