Effect of floating bead on the manufacturing process of fly ash ceramics

A new type of ceramic material was prepared by adding flux with floating beads and kaolin. The influence of the characteristics of floating beads on the properties of fly ash ceramics was discussed. The best sintering conditions were determined through experiments. The optimum floating bead content was 16.7%-28.6%, and the sintering properties of the ceramic improved when the iron oxide content in the floating beads was 2.59%. The ceramic sintered at 1100°C for 5 hours showed excellent properties. A ceramic body with high porosity, low volume density, and appropriate resistance to bending strength can be sintered by using floating bead with particle size of 0.12-0.18 mm. Moreover, a ceramic that is highly resistant to bending can be obtained when the particle size was 0.08-0.096 mm, which is suitable under a high mechanical demand.