Análise da incorporação de chamote cerâmico na fabricação de tijolos maciços no município de Russas-CE

Disposal of waste is, in general, one of the main problems faced by the industrial sector, where, often, or because of the reduction of transport costs or because of the lack of an adequate discarded improperly, triggering a series of environmental problems. Therefore, this work examines the use of ceramic waste ‘chamote’, obtained from as new roof tiles discarded for incorporation in the manufacturing of solid bricks, using the clay and the production line of this type of material, from the municipality of Russas, in the state of Ceará, Brazil, whose one of the main sources of income is the ceramist sector. The objective was to show the physical and mechanical behavior of nine different configurations of bricks with partial replacement of 20%, 25% and 30% of clay by this ceramic waste, as well as if it met the minimum standards of use. ‘Chamote’ can be defined as a by-product resulting from the disposal of already burnt ceramic pieces, which are fragmented for some purpose. Despite its non-plastic characteristics, its use did not make it difficult to mold the bricks. The substitution in the analyzed percentages caused an increase in the water absorption, but they also resulted, in a resistance gain. It was concluded that ‘chamote’ incorporation in the solid brick is satisfactory, with substitutions up to 30%, since it presents an alternative to reduce the disposal of solid residues in the environment, waste rates and production losses, as well as to reduce the demand for raw materials, clay, and water, while still meeting resistance, water absorption and retraction limit.