Structural modification of ceramic brick with multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Abstract

The paper considers a method for improving physical and mechanical properties of ceramic bricks made from low-melting low-grade clay and quartz sand. The priority task is to develop a kind of batch based on widespread low-grade clay containing less than 13.5% of Al2O3. This provides high physical, technical and operational characteristics of brick. To improve the properties of ceramic building materials, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) can be used as an effective structural modifier in an amount of 0.001-0.009% of the clay mass. Adding an aqueous dispersion of MWCNTs to the composition of ceramic batch increases the density and uniformity of the structure of ceramic matrix and influences its strength characteristics. The increase in the strength indices of ceramic has been found to occur in both cases of using freshly prepared batch and batch seasoned for a long time, up to 6 months. Nanotubes already influence the strength of the samples at the stage of air brick forming, while the compressive strength increases by 50%. After firing, the compressive strength of fired modified samples increases by 109%. Thus, using an aqueous dispersion of MWCNTs improves the structure and physical and mechanical properties of ceramic brick.