Porcelain stoneware obtained from the residual muds of serpentinite raw materials

The recycling of solid waste produced by the processing of natural raw materials and urban centres is one of the priorities of the European Community. As a means of reducing such waste, government agencies are encouraging the manufacture of alternative ceramic products. In the present work the possibility of using serpentinite muds from a quarry of dunite rocks to make ceramic products is explored. It was found that the ceramic blocks obtained after processing these muds present a very high fracture resistance, very low porosity with an optimum colour after firing, and an excellent polished surface, qualities which make them highly suitable for producing porcelain stoneware. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.