Influence of Agro-Wastes Additive on the Microstructural View, Bulk Density, Apparent Porosity and Firing Shrinkage Properties of Locally Produced Refractory Bricks

The increasing need for refractory bricks has advanced research into the utilization of readily available agricultural by-products. This work examined the influence of cassava peel ash (CPA) and palm kernel ash (PKA) as admixtures on the physical properties of locally produced refractory bricks. Samples coded CTR (Control), clay/30CPA, clay/30PKA, and clay/30CPA-PKA were prepared, moulded by machine, fired at elevated temperature, and tested for bulk density, apparent porosity, and firing shrinkage to assess the influence of addition of agro-wastes. The objective of the study is to determine the effects of addition of CPA, PKA, and its hybrid on mechanical properties of refractory bricks. The result showed that the control sample has the highest density of 2.3 gcm-3 while clay/30CPA, clay/30PKA and clay/30CPA-PKA samples have 2.0, 1.8 and 1.8 gcm-3 respectively. The percent porosities are 19.8, 20.63, 26.51 and 25.5% for CTR, clay/30CPA, clay/30PKA and clay/30CPA-PKA, respectively. Both CTR and clay/30CPA shared similar percent shrinkage of 4.3%, while clay/30PKA and clay/30CPA-PKA had percent shrinkage of 2.17%. The results showed that the addition of the agro-waste additives did not affect the physical integrity of the refractory bricks but showed that clay/30CPA-PKA followed by clay/30PKA are most suitable for the production of insulating refractory bricks, and also fall within the standard values required for fire clay refractory bricks.