Abstract
In the present study, sewage sludge ash (SSA) was added to clay to prepare lightweight
ceramics for sustainable construction materials. The characterization and the
effect of different concentrations of SSA on the physical and mechanical properties
of the samples were studied. The results showed that the organic matter in SSA facilitated
the combustion process. SSA addition reduced the bulk density from (1.94
to 1.32 g/cm3). Otherwise, the water absorption, the apparent porosity and the loss on
ignition increased with the increase in SSA concentration. The addition of SSA lowered
the compression strength but still within the standard range of the construction
materials at concentration up to (30 wt.%). Furthermore, heavy metals are solidified
inside the sintered samples, since Cu, Cd, Fe, Zn, Cr, Mn, Ni, and Pb, concentrations
in the leachate met the range of Egyptian standard specification.
KEYWORDS
ceramic engineering, characterization, porous materials, waste disposal