Advances in Materials Science and EngineeringVolume 2011 (2011), Article ID 430604, 6 pagesdoi:10.1155/2011/430604

Research Article

The Effects of Different Types of Fly Ash on the Compressive Strength Properties of Briquettes

Özlem Çelik Sola,¹ Murat Yayla,² Barış Sayın,³ and Cengiz Duran Atiş⁴

¹Civil Engineering Department, Engineering Faculty, Istanbul University, Avcılar Campus, Avcılar, Istanbul, Turkey²Yapi İnsaat Ltd. Co., Istanbul, Turkey³Building and Technical Office, Istanbul University, Beyazıt Campus, Istanbul, Turkey⁴Civil Engineering Department, Engineering and Architecture Faculty, Abdullah Gul University, Kayseri, Turkey

Received 10 May 2011; Accepted 9 July 2011

Academic Editor: Kin Ho Lo

Copyright © 2011 Özlem Çelik Sola et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of the different types of fly ash on the compressive strength properties of sintered briquettes. Thermal gravimetric (TG) analysis was carried out. The chemical composition and physical properties of the materials used were determined. Particle size distribution and microstructure elemental analyses of the materials used were carried out by a particle size analyzer (Mastersizer) and a scanning electron microscope (SEM-EDS). Following the characterization of the materials, briquettes were prepared by sintering at different temperatures. Compressive strength test results of the briquette samples indicated that briquettes with a compressive strength value of 47.45 N/mm² can be produced. The results obtained exceed the Turkish standard (TS EN 771-1) requirements (9.8–23.54 N/mm²). SEM-EDS results showed that briquette samples made with Tunçbilek (T) fly ash had a higher percentage of the glassy phase than the other briquette samples. Due to this microstructure, it results in higher compressive strength value.

1. Introduction

As an industrial waste, fly ash presents some environmental and storage problems; however, it has been used widely as an excellent mineral additive in the construction industry [1, 2]. The use of fly ash prevents environmental pollution, and it contributes to a reduced need for natural resources. Fly ash is available in different types, such as C and F. The F type has a low Ca content, and its content of SiO₂ + Fe₂O₃ + Al₂O₃ is greater than 70 (ASTM C 618) [3]. There are many studies investigating fly ash and its use as an additive in cement mortars [4, 5]. Fly ash is also used as an additive in the production of briquettes [6–11]. This study presents comprehensive details about the utilization of different types of fly ash that were collected from different thermal power plants (Çayırhan, Orhaneli, Seyitömer, and Tunçbilek) in Turkey and that were used to produce briquettes that have high compressive strength values.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Properties of Materials Used

2.1.1. Soil

The soil was obtained from the Boyabat Brick Factory in Turkey. Its specific surface area was 0.7502 m²/g, and its chemical properties are given in Table 1. It had a high SiO₂ content (51.21%).

Table 1: The chemical composition (%w/w) of the materials used.

Constituents (%)
Soil
C
OE
SO
T

SiO₂
51.21
44.05
43.18
53.32
58.36

Al₂O₃
12.59
11.57
19.36
20.16
22.17

Fe₂O₃
2.66
8.81
7.71
10.50
7.09

CaO
7.04
14.19
17.84
4.40
2.61

MgO
3.31
4.97
2.80
4.50
2.46

K₂O
1.70
1.80
1.64
2.98
2.27

Na₂O
1.52
3.59
0.36
0.51
0.71

SO₃
5.57
10.34
2.53
1.04
0.34

KK
12.00
1.39
4.00
1.65
3.35

F CaO
0.07
0.14
0.31
—
0.01

Cl⁻
0.0085
—
—
—
—

2.1.2. Fly Ash

Four samples of fly ash were collected from the Çayırhan (C), Orhaneli (OE), Seyitömer (SO), and Tunçbilek (T) thermal power plants in Turkey, which are recycling materials for evaluation as additive materials in the building sector. Their specific surface areas are 0.5957, 0.8731, 0.4420, and 1.2769 m²/g, respectively. The chemical analysis results of the fly ashes are given in Table 1. According to ASTM 618, the SiO2 + Al₂O3 + Fe₂O₃ values indicated that the fly ash sample obtained from the (C) thermal power plant should be classified as type C and the (OE), (SO), and (T) fly ash samples should be classified as type F.

2.1.3. Experimental Program

In order to prepare the briquette specimens from the materials, characterization experiments were carried out. A physical analysis of the soil was performed to determine the percentage of sand and gravel present. In addition to the physical analysis, a hydrometer analysis was applied to the mass of the soil that passed through sieve No. 200 in order to separate the silt and clay materials. Tests of the consistency limits of the soil—the plastic limit, the liquid limit, and the plasticity index (PI)—were conducted. In order to determine the thermal behavior of the soil, a TG analysis was carried out with a TGA-50. The particle size distribution of the materials was measured by the Mastersizer-x technique (Malvern, MS-X 1995 model). In order to describe the microstructure and to conduct an elemental analysis of the materials and briquettes, the SEM-EDS technique (JSM-5910LV, EDS Model: Oxford-Inca-7274) was used. The compressive strength results were explained by using the results obtained from these analyses.

2.1.4. Preparation and Testing of Briquettes

Following the characterization tests, different mixtures were prepared from fly ash samples. Fly ash was added to the soil in ratios of 5% and 10%. Each mixture was treated with 6% water to provide sufficient plasticity. At the end of this procedure, the mixtures were squeezed at 200 kgf/cm², and the samples were molded for sintering. Before sintering, the moisture in the mixtures was evaporated in an oven at 105°C. The remolded mixtures had dimensions of 3.6 × 3.6 cm², and they were sintered at 850, 900, and 950°C in the laboratory oven. After the oven had reached the required temperature, the briquettes were removed from the oven. The briquettes produced with this process were tested for compressive strength according to the Turkish standards (TS EN 771-1) [12].

3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Characterization of the Materials

3.1.1. Hydrometer Analysis

A hydrometer analysis was carried out to obtain the soil content, which was found to be 24.1% sand, 63.4% silt, and 12.5% clay. The findings are listed in Table 2. The results of the tests of the consistency limits of the soil are given in Table 3: a 37.5% liquid limit, a 23.4% plastic limit, and a 14.1% plasticity index. From the test results, it can be concluded that the soil is suitable for brick production according to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO).

Table 2: Content of the soil sample.

Content
%w/w

Gravel
0.0

Sand
24.1

Silt
63.4

Clay
12.5

Table 3: Test of consistency limits of the soil sample.

Limits
%

Liquid
37.5

Plastic
23.4

Plasticity index
14.1

3.1.2. Particle Size Distribution

The Mastersizer-x technique was used for measuring the particle size distribution. Granulometric data for the S showed that the and values were 73.41 and 17.44 μm. Granulometric data for the size fractions of the C, OE, SO, and T fly ash is displayed in Table 4; the and values were 129.95 and 27.23, 77.71, and 21.18, 96.86, and 29.76 and 52.39 and 13.76 μm, respectively. The particle size ranged from 3 μm to well over 129 μm for the materials. It can be observed that there are significant differences in the particle size distributions of the two samples of C and T for : 129.95 and 52.39 μm, respectively. It can also be observed from the granulometric data that T was the finest fly ash.

Table 4: Granulometric data for the materials used in experiments and their size fractions.

Percentages % of particles with diameter

Materials
(μm)
(μm)
(μm)

S
2.83
17.44
73.41

C
3.70
27.23
129.95

OE
3.43
21.18
77.71

SO
6.16
29.76
96.86

T
1.99
13.76
52.39

3.1.3. Thermogravimetric (TG) Analysis

In order to obtain the thermal behavior of the soil, a TG analysis was carried out. A 13% weight loss was found. The moisture and water loss of the soil were 4% up to 200°C. Decomposition started and the water loss of the soil increased to 7% between 200 and 800°C. Figure 1 shows that above 800°C, decomposition continued, but the curve is not very sharp. Therefore, the temperature range from 850 to 950°C was chosen for sintering.

Figure 1: TG analysis of the soil sample.

3.1.4. Morphological and Elemental Analyses

Morphological and elemental analyses were conducted using SEM-EDS. Figure 2 shows that fly ash samples are spherical in shape, whereas the soil sample is amorphous. The T fly ash sample has a finer particle size than the C fly ash sample, and the elemental analysis shows that the C fly ash sample has more Ca content than the T fly ash sample (Table 3). The C fly ash is C type, and the T fly ash is F type [5]. In addition to the morphological analyses performed to obtain an elemental analysis of the materials, four points (P) were chosen on the SEM photographs, and they were analyzed. The analysis results are shown in Table 5.

Table 5: SEM-EDS elemental analyses of materials.

Elemental analysis

C
O
Na
Mg
Al
Si
P
S
K
Ca
Ti
Fe
Total

S

P1

54.44
0.85
2.72
8.41
18.43

2.54
2.00
4.63
0.45
5.52
100

C

P1
13.15
37.14

1.65
3.10

0.55

1.69

42.73
100

P2
8.92
40.93

3.30
2.13
3.95

1.34

7.56

31.87
100

P3
12.64
49.21
0.85
6.43
5.94
12.57

0.59

9.04
1.17
1.56
100

P4
13.23
47.94

5.04
2.63
13.28
0.78
0.65
0.34
11.52
0.64
3.95
100

OE

P1
15.32
35.68

2.99
2.87

1.34

41.81
100

P2

51.95

2.01
11.36
18.78

1.30
9.54

5.06
100

P3
25.25
43.82
0.68
0.61
11.98
13.72

0.81
1.64

1.49
100

P4
17.76
49.20

0.61
2.37
2.17

0.57

26.40

0.92
100

SO

P1
21.88
37.14

1.44
3.43
10.66

0.78
1.32

23.34
100

P2
18.73
47.96

2.01
7.95
15.30

1.72
3.38

2.95
100

P3
15.70
53.95

0.74
2.76
24.03

0.73
0.43

1.67
100

P4
15.08
50.62

0.77
10.37
20.25

1.29

1.60
100

T

P1
8.05
34.88

2.05
2.49

0.65

51.88
100

P2
16.32
50.96

0.84
31.89

100

P3

52.17
3.08

10.37
31.35

1.79

1.25
100

P4
74.46
22.39

1.15
2.00

100

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

Figure 2: SEM micrographs of fly ashes (a) Soil ×1500 (b) C ×1500 (c) OE ×1500 (d) SO ×1000 (e) T ×1000.

3.2. Compressive Strength Values of the Produced Briquettes

3.2.1. Mixing Ratios and Compressive Strength Values of the Produced Briquettes

After the sintering process, compressive strength tests of the briquettes were performed according to the Turkish standard (TS EN 771-1). It was concluded that briquettes with a compressive strength value of 47.45 N/mm² can be produced at 950°C. This result was obtained from the briquette that was prepared with 5% T fly ash. This is the best compressive strength result obtained for the samples that were prepared. This compressive strength result is a very high value; the Turkish standard (TS EN 771-1) only requires 9.8–23.54 N/mm². When the briquettes made with T fly ash were compared with the others, the compressive strength of the T briquettes was higher than that of the others at the same temperatures. The compressive strength results for the briquettes are shown in Table 6. The compressive strength of the briquettes changed with the different types of fly ash.

Table 6: Mixing ratios of the materials and average compressive strength values of briquettes.

Sample code
Mixing ratios
Compressive strength values (N/mm²)

850°C
900°C
950°C

b

30.8
38.6
41.4

c

30.8
38.7
40.7

d

26.7
32.7
34.4

e

35.0
44.8
47.5

g

14.9
29.2
36.8

h

22.5
27.9
31.2

i

11.8
26.5
31.0

j

33.4
42.8
43.9

l

15.5
31.7
38.2

m

17.2
25.0
27.1

3.2.2. SEM-EDS Analysis of the Briquettes after the Compressive Strength Tests

After the compressive strength tests, morphological and elemental analyses were applied to the samples by using SEM-EDS. There are three groups of mixtures. The first group included mixtures with 5% fly ash, the second group included those with 10% fly ash, and the third group included mixtures with 20% fly ash. Samples were chosen from the first group (b, e) and the third group (l). The samples b and e have 5% fly ash; they contain different types of fly ash, and l includes two samples with 10% fly ash, with different types of fly ashes (C and OE). No samples were chosen from the second group because their compressive strength results were similar to those of the first group. The selected samples have the best mechanical strengths in their respective groups.

It can be observed in Figure 3 that there are distinct differences between sample e and the others. Primarily, a quartz (SiO₂) phase was formed, and this can be seen in Figure 3. This is comparable with point 1 of Table 7. There are different phases shown in Figure 3. These phases are anhydrite (CaSO₄) in trace ratios, gehlenite (2CaO·Al2O3·SiO₂), potassium aluminum silicate (K₂O·Al₂O₃·4SiO₂), hematite (Fe₂O₃), and aluminum silicate (3Al₂O₃·2SiO₂). Here, the phases that affect the compressive strength properties are quartz, gehlenite, and potassium aluminum silicate. These phases are all proportional in Table 7.

Table 7: SEM-EDS elemental analyses of briquettes (wt%).

Elemental analysis

C
O
Na
Mg
Al
Si
P
S
K
Ca
Ti
Fe
Total

b

P1

50.91
3.36

8.72
30.11

6.90

100

P2

49.92
1.70
3.53
8.57
21.10

1.14
8.68

5.36
100

e

P1

56.58

43.42

100

P2

40.13
1.44
1.99
4.96
17.09

1.95
1.03
16.86

14.55
100

l

P1

49.40

50.60

100

P2

45.73
2.21
1.35
8.96
31.67

7.22
1.19

1.68
100

P3

50.71

2.83
8.15
20.67

10.15

7.50
100

(a)

(b)

(c)

Figure 3: SEM micrographs of briquettes (a) b × 500 (b) e × 500 (c) 1 × 500.

4. Conclusions

The following conclusions can be drawn from the experimental results.(i)Briquettes can be manufactured with different types of fly ash. (ii)The briquettes sintered at 950°C had better compressive strength results than those sintered at 900 and 850°C. (iii) When the amount of fly ash added was increased from 5% to 10%, the compressive strength decreased, but the compressive strength of all of the briquettes was higher than 9.8 N/mm². (iv) The briquette created with 5% T fly ash had better mechanical strength than did those prepared using other materials. The mechanical strength of this briquette was very high (47.45 N/mm²), and when compared with the standard value (9.8–23.54 N/mm²), it is remarkable. Therefore, stronger construction could be designed with these briquettes.(v)Fly ash not only provides better mechanical strength for building materials but also contributes to decreasing environmental pollution, production costs, and the use of natural resources. (vi) The compressive strength results of the briquettes changed with the fly ash properties. (vii)It was proven that all of the fly ash samples used in the experiments were suitable for use in briquette production.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Istanbul Asphalt Factories Head of Production Zafer Sola for helping. This work was supported by the Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit of Istanbul University, Project number UDP-4547/13112009.

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