Post-treated incinerator bottom ash as alternative raw material for ceramic manufacturing

New ceramics based on 60 wt% of alternative raw material derived from post-treated municipal solid waste incinerator bottom ashes and 40 wt% of refractory clay were studied. The chemical analysis of the compositions was evaluated by ICP. The thermal and densification behavior of the ceramic batches were evaluated by DTA-TG and dilatometry techniques, respectively. After that, the degree of sintering at different temperatures and soaking times was evaluated in detail, measuring open and closed porosities, linear shrinkage and water absorption. The crystallinity at different temperatures (during heating and after cooling) and microstructure of the obtained samples were evaluated by high-temperature X-ray diffraction (HTXRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. For these new ceramics, the experimental results highlighted sintering range between 1190–1240 °C. In addition, the specimens demonstrated low water absorption and high crystallinity (with anorthite as main crystalline phase), leading to mechanical characteristics comparable to those of commercial ceramic products (bending strength > 40 MPa).