Comparison between Imported Bauxite Clays and Local Bauxite Clays in the Production of Firebricks

The current study compared imported and local bauxite clays in the production of firebricks and used varied quantities of flint clays to improve the product's geotechnical qualities. After preparing the raw material samples through several processes such as crushing, grinding, and screening to obtain the required sizes, as well as conducting chemical analysis to determine the percentages of the main oxides such as Al2O3 (61.80_ 51.47_ 23.25) (imported bauxite, local bauxite, flint clays) and SiO2 (54.49_ 42.35_ 9.32). After preparing the mixtures in the proportions laid out in the research text, they formed using the semi-dry pressing method and subjected to a burning program with three burning temperatures (1200_1300_1400) after drying at 105_110 degrees Celsius for 24 hours. Several evaluation tests were performed on the generated samples, including physical tests (longitudinal shrinkage after burning, porosity, water absorption, and total density) and mechanical testing (compressive resistance). Local bauxite proved to be as successful as imported bauxite. Flint clays were also found to be successful in providing certain beneficial characteristics to the product. The longitudinal shrinkage results after burning ranged between (minus 0.11_1.94%), porosity (7.47_19.14%), water absorption (4.83_10.38%), and overall density (1.43_1.91%). When flint clays were added to firebrick mixtures, they significantly reduced the density by 40%. As well as compressive strength 34. As well as compressive strength (16,19_34,20nt/mm2), all tests matched international standards.