The aim of the present study is to extend the utilization of tincal calcination plant waste (TCW) of Kirka Borax Company (KBC) in wall tile production by replacing marble in suitable amounts. It is worthy mentioning that the TCW has been neither tested for tile production nor characterized for academically, yet until today. First of all, the characteristic features of TCW were determined by some analyses techniques such as quantitative XRD analysis, XRF and DTA-TGA analyses. Then, representative experimental wall tile formulations were prepared by progressive incorporation of TCW in wall tile recipes. A total of four formulations was prepared with 2, 4, 6 and 9 wt.% TCW incorporation and shaped by dry pressing. The representative tiles were single fast-fired in an industrial roller furnace at a peak temperature of 1150 degrees C for a total firing time of 38 min. The physico-mechanical properties namely linear firing shrinkage, water absorption, fired flexural strength of the representative samples were measured in accordance with the standard procedures. According to the results, the addition of TCW appeared to improve liquid phase development with better physical properties compared to those of standard composition for the firing regime involved. The results indicated a prospect for using the waste in wall tile formulations up to 4 wt%.

Keywords: Boron waste; Wall tile; Ceramic raw materials; Tincalconite