Reusing vitreous China fired ceramic scraps in ceramic production: Technological properties and mineralogical insights

This study investigates waste material recycling in ceramic production. Fired ceramic scraps (FCS) were incorporated at different levels, replacing quartz and feldspar as raw materials. The technological properties of the ceramic body without FCS are generally maintained or improved. However, the addition of FCS adversely affected thermal expansion, as indicated by a decrease in the body α linear thermal expansion coefficient. X-ray Powder Diffraction Quantitative Phase Analysis (XRD-QPA) and in situ experiments, and Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations provide an explanation for such undesired effect. Insights into the formation of ‘strained’ quartz, a phenomenon influenced by the firing process, are shown. Potential strategies to enhance the body α linear thermal expansion coefficient are also discussed.