Effect of borogypsum on brick properties

• The suitability of adding borogypsum to the brick was tested over a range of brick compositions.
• Borogypsum increases the porosity during firing.
• Significiant decrease in bulk brick density was obtained.
• Better compressive strength values were obtained with additions up to 10 wt.%.

The boric acid production industry generates a large amount of waste that pollutes and damages the environment. This study aims to characterize and evaluate the possibility of using the boric acid production waste (Borogypsum: BG) generated by the boric acid production industry in Emet–Turkey, as an additive raw material for the production of bricks and to improve the brick properties. The suitability of adding waste to the brick was tested over a range of brick compositions. Bricks containing 0 to 15% BG by weight were produced and tested for compressive strength and freeze/thaw durability according to the Turkish Standards (TS) for fired clay bricks. The results showed that the brick samples containing 10 wt.% BG had the best compressive strength before and after water absorption tests. The brick bodies produced from the brick clay with BG had technological characteristics in agreement with the ASTM and TS standards for ceramic bricks and tiles.