Incorporation of Petroleum Coke into Red Ceramic
This work has as its objective to evaluate the effect in the physical and mechanical properties of a red ceramic by the incorporation of petroleum coke from a refining plant. The characterization of the coke was done by optical microscopy and DTA/TG. Compositions were prepared with 0, 1, 2 and 4 wt.% of petroleum coke incorporated into a kaolinitic clayey body. Rectangular specimens were formed by extrusion before firing at 950°C. The determined physical and mechanical properties were: flexural rupture strength and water absorption. The microstructure of the fired ceramics was evaluated by SEM. The results showed that the incorporation of up to 4 wt.% of petroleum coke is not deleterious to the water absorption and mechanical strength of the clayey ceramic fired at 950oC.