Fabrication of Porous Anorthite Ceramic Insulation Using Solid Wastes

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Ceramic Engineering
• Sustainable Materials

Background:

• Traditional building insulation materials can be energy-intensive to produce.
• Utilizing waste materials offers a sustainable alternative for construction components.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop cost-effective porous anorthite ceramics for thermal insulation using waste materials.
• To investigate the effect of banana peel content and sintering temperature on ceramic properties.

Main Methods:

• Anorthite (CaAl2Si2O8) ceramics were synthesized using waste seashells (CaO source) and kaolin (Al2O3 and SiO2 source).
• Banana peel was incorporated as a pore-forming agent at varying percentages.
• Powder compacts were sintered at temperatures between 1100 and 1200 °C.

Main Results:

• Porous anorthite ceramics with up to 45% open porosity were successfully produced.
• Key properties achieved include compressive strength (13-92 MPa), bulk density (1.87-2.62 g/cm³), and thermal conductivity (0.097-3.5 W/mK).
• Thermo-mechanical properties were effectively controlled by adjusting banana peel volume and processing temperature.

Conclusions:

• Waste seashells and banana peel are viable precursors for producing functional anorthite ceramics.
• The developed ceramics offer a promising solution for cost-effective thermal insulation in buildings.
• This approach highlights the potential of waste valorization in the construction industry.