Abstract
Polishing granite mud, i.e. the residue of the polishing process of granite stone blocks, has been studied for its potential use in heavy clay industry. Due to its properties waste stone mud could be used as a filler (an opening agent) in clay-based industry, e.g. in the production of clay bricks, blocks, panels, roofing tiles, or facing bricks. Different mixtures of clay of normal use in brickworks and up to 30 wt.% of mud were prepared on the laboratory scale.The influence of the stone mud addition on the drying and firing process, as well as on the properties of finished products, such as water absorption and compressive strength, was studied. From the laboratory results it can be concluded that a substantial amount (up to 10 wt.%) of granite stone mud may possibly be added into the regular production of heavy clay products. In this way a significant decrease in costs could be achieved due to the partial replacement of basic raw materials and due to the fact that the land-filling of waste stone mud may be avoided.