Holistic evaluation of ceramic clay properties with Sargassum spp. ash replacement

• Published in: Construction & building materials 2024-07, Vol.435, p.136680, Article 136680
• Main Authors: da Silva Parente, Igor Machado, Lyra, Gabriela Pitolli, Bueno, Cristiane, Tonin, Fernando Gustavo, Rossignolo, João Adriano
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ceramic clay; Life Cycle Assessment; Sargassum ash
• ISSN: 0950-0618; 1879-0526
• DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.136680

This paper aims to analyze the effect of adding sargassum ash as a mineral additive in ceramic clays sintered in a conventional oven to obtain construction materials with lower consumption of raw materials while providing an appropriate destination to stranded sargassum. The characterizations of the components were performed by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, loss on ignition, X-ray diffraction, particle size distribution, and real specific mass. The specimens were sintered in an electric oven and exposed to maximum temperatures of 800 ºC, 900 ºC and 1000 ºC. The influence of 10 % and 20 % sargassum ash content on ceramic clay performance was evaluated through physical and mechanical tests. Samples with 10 % sargassum ash sintered at 900 °C and 1000 °C had the best mechanical properties. A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was used to compare ceramics with sargassum ash to other conventional materials, such as ceramic clay used in tiles. The high energy consumption in the sintering process is the greatest contribution to most environment impact. As such, it is possible to add 10% sargassum ash sintered at 900 °C as a clay replacement, reducing environment impacts and enhancing the performance of the materials. •The addition of sargassum ash into ceramic clays allows for the production of composites with desirable physical and mechanical properties.•A 10 % sargassum ash addition is recommended as a substitute material in structural ceramic bricks.•For lower-grade bricks, it is possible to use ceramic clays sintered at 800 °C with a 20 % sargassum ash addition.•This addition leads to a reduction in energy consumption for the production of ceramic clays.•The use of sargassum ash in civil construction provides environmental and economic advantages.