Use of Borosilicate Glass as Fluxing Agent to Enhance the Physio-mechanical Properties of Bricks

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of borosilicate glass as a flux on the Physio-mechanical properties of the brick. To do this job brick sample was prepared by incorporating borosilicate (BS) glass with red clay in different proportions like 20%, 35%, and 50% and then fired at 850ºC, 950ºC and 1050ºC. The Physio-mechanical properties of the prepared samples fired at different temperatures were examined through different experiments. The crystal phases were studied by XRD and the images of prepared samples at their cross section were taken by SEM. The optimal value of mixing ratio of BS glass with red clay found 35% during sintering at 1050ºC for better Physio-mechanical properties of brick sample. The enhanced Physio-mechanical properties of brick sample like water absorption, bulk density, linear shrinkage and compressive strength were 7%, 2500 kg/m3, 1.57%, and 39.26 M Pa, respectively. The outcome of the experiments shows that the BS glass is feasible to be acting as a fluxing agent by improving the Physio-mechanical properties as well as the sustainability of the building bricks.