Abstract
The effect of quartz which exists in clays, especially in kaolin used for the production of chamotte sagger, on the strength of refractory was examined. In this study, a mixture of chamotte 50%, kaolin 25%, plastic clay 25% in ternary component system was selected as a batch composition. To this mixture 1%, 3% and 5% of feldspar and sericite were added respectively. The plastic clay used here was separated under 170 mesh by dry process. Feldspar and sericite were separated under 325 mesh by dry process. Feldspar and sericite were separated under 325 mesh by dry process. In order to change the particle size and the content of quartz, the kaolin was separated under 60, 115, 170 and 325 mesh by wet process, substituted quartz for coarse parts of it. Chamotte was classified into three grades, coarse (5-10mesh): medium (10-20mesh): fine(20-115mesh) and the ratio was 1:1:1. Samples were formed in 0.8xIx10cm size with 12.5% water at 160kg/$\textrm{cm}^2$ pressure, and fired at 130$0^{\circ}C$ for 1 hr. The fired samples were ivnestigated by means of x-ray diffraction analysis and microscopic observation, and the physical properties of them were also examined, such as firing shrinkage, apparent specific gravity and bulk specific gravity, apparent porosity, water absorption and modulus of rupture. The obtained results are as follows: 1. When screened kaolin with low content of quartz was added to fixed chamotte-plastic clay system, the sample lowered modulus of rupture and increased apparent porosity as the size of kaolin became finer. 2. When kaolin under 325 mesh with 7.2-15.81% quartz between 60-325 mesh was added to fixed chamotte-plastic clay system, the sample had higher apparent porosity and lower modulus of ruputure as the size and the amount of quartz became larger. 3. The addition of feldspar and sericite to chamotte-plastic clay system improved apparent porosity and modulus of rupture. The effect of feldspar was better when quartz content was low, although that of sericite was better than quartz content was high.