RETRACTED: Innovative mix design of lightweight porcelainised matrix for building comfort: pore - network and microstructures

Abstract

Controlling pore structure gives ceramic products particular beneficial features such as low thermal conductivity, high chemical and mechanical resistance, or weight reduction. In this study, a novel class of ceramic material was produced with raw mixtures prepared with varying proportions of powdered limestone (1 to 5 wt.%) as a modifier and pore-forming agent on pegmatite and syenite-nepheline-based formulations. The ceramics were characterised using a variety of procedures and analytical techniques after being sintered at 1125 to 1225 °C under a fast-sintering rate of 25 °C/min. The results revealed that, using fast and controlled sintering, the proper addition of limestone into the pegmatite and nepheline syenite-based matrix allowed for the development of controlled porosity (formation of macro and meso‑pores), resulting in a reduced material density (1.9 – 2.1 g/cm 3 ). Moreover, despite their good mechanical properties (flexural strength of 54 – 72 MPa and compressive strength of 70 – 150 MPa), the synthesised ceramics exhibited thermal conductivity performance ranging between 0.4562 and 0.5539 Wm -1 K -1 . Based on the obtained functional properties, the produced high-strength porous ceramics could act as a potential candidate for thermal building materials applications.