The aim of this work is the characterization of the interfacial bonding of a composite material with thermofix polymeric matrix, polyester orthophthalic type, and Cuban reinforcement, consisting of henequen fibers, from Limonar, Matanzas. The henequen fibers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mechanical tests and their critical length was calculated. The tensile, impact and hardness tests were performed on the composite material. After analyzing the results of the tests, we conclude that henequen fibers have positive influence as reinforcement in a thermoset polymer matrix

El presente trabajo trata sobre el estudio de la caracterización de la unión interfacial de un material compuesto con matriz polimérica termofija, del tipo poliéster ortoftálico y refuerzo cubano, consistente en fibras de henequén, procedente de Limonar, Matanzas. Las fibras de henequén fueron caracterizadas por microscopía electrónica de barrido (MEB) y a través de ensayos mecánicos de tracción, siendo calculada su longitud crítica. Al material compuesto, se le realizaron ensayos de desprendimiento por tensión, impacto y dureza. Tras el análisis de los resultados de los ensayos, se llega a la conclusión, de la influencia positiva de las fibras de henequén como refuerzo en una matriz polimérica termofija

The Brazilian red ceramic industry monthly consumes about 10.3 million tons of clay, its main raw material. In most potteries, characterization of the clay is made empirically, which can result in roof tiles and blocks not according to standards. In this sense, this paper aims to characterize clays used in the manufacturing of red ceramic products in a factory located in Colatina-ES, which appears as a ceramic pole with about twenty small and midsize industries. The clays were characterized by: X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis (DSC/TG), granulometry, Atterberg limits and content of organic matter. Specimens of clay and mixture containing four clays were shaped. Specimens were shaped, dried at 110°C, and burned at 850ºC in an industrial furnace-type tunnel for 24 hours. The ceramics and mechanical properties evaluated were: mechanic strength, water absorption, apparent porosity, apparent specific mass and shrinkage by drying and firing. The characterization showed that kaolinitic clay presents high plasticity, but high porosity. The mixture formed by the four clays does not meet the requirements of the Brazilian standard clays for red ceramic. It is possible to confirm the use of the methodology of the spheres in potteries for analysis of ceramics raw materials.

Addition of dimension stone waste to clayey mass is an alternative to make the dimension stone sector more environmentally sustainable and to reduce the consumption of clayey raw material. Our aim is to study the technical feasibility of dimension stone waste addition to the clayey mass used in roof tile production. Samples of waste and clay were tested for physical, chemical, mineralogical and microstructural characterization. Samples containing dimension stone waste contents, varying from 10% to 90% (wt.), were produced and burned in industrial furnace of a structural ceramic factory at a 900°C maximum temperature for 24 hours. The technological characteristics evaluated were water absorption, apparent porosity, apparent density, loss on ignition, linear shrinkage and flexural strength. The results show that the samples with up to 60% waste content can be used in the production of ceramic bodies, since the waste promoted the physical packing of the grains, which increased the densification of ceramic bodies. With that, the waste-improved ceramic characteristics were analyzed. From 60% content onwards, the waste was not be able to fill the remaining interstices between the clay grains to densify the ceramic body because both raw materials have similar particle size distribution. Furthermore, the excess silica, in the form of quartz contained in the waste, presents an inert behavior in the factory firing temperature used in this research, causing fracture points and decreasing the flexural strength.

The synthesis of zeolite NaP using kaolin waste, from the Amazon region, as a predominant source of silicon and aluminum has been studied. The zeolitisation process occurred in hydrothermal conditions using static autoclaving and the effects of time, temperature, and the Si/Al ratio were investigated. The starting material and the phases formed as reaction products were characterized by XRD, SEM and FTIR. The results showed that pure zeolite NaP is hydrothermally synthesized, at 100 °C for 20 hours, using metakaolin waste material in alkaline medium in presence of additional silica. The XRD and SEM analyses indicate that the synthesized zeolite presents good crystallinity.

Organophilic clays were prepared using a bentonite from the town of Boa Vista, state of Paraíba, Brazil, and a quaternary ammonium salt (Genamin CTAC-50). The materials obtained were characterized by X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy. The results showed a good gasoline, toluene, diesel fuel and kerosene adsorbing capacity.