Avaliação da influência da secagem no desempenho de blocos cerâmicos de vedação

Abstract

Companies specialized in red ceramics play a significant role in the field of civil construction, as they have an important role in the manufacturing of various items used in this sector, such as the production of ceramic sealing blocks. The manufacturing process of these products is divided into well-defined stages, ranging from raw material preparation to extrusion, drying, and firing. The drying phase assumes significant importance in this process, as it allows water to gradually evaporate from the ceramic material, minimizing the risk of cracks and deformations in the blocks. Thus, the aim of this study is to analyze how pre-treatment influences the production of ceramic sealing blocks produced in the Recôncavo Region of Bahia, with the goal of identifying differences in the final result that arise from the application of artificial drying compared to natural drying. In this context, an analysis of the factory's production process was conducted, and tests were carried out to evaluate geometric, physical, and mechanical properties, following the recommendations and requirements of NBR 15270:2017. These guidelines include criteria such as water absorption ranging from 8% to 25%, as well as a minimum compressive strength of 1.5 MPa for ceramic sealing blocks. Through the analysis of the blocks under study, it was possible to verify that both batches from the company did not meet the geometric characteristics, but they were approved in terms of physical and mechanical characteristics. The blocks subjected to the artificial drying process had an average strength of 2.43 MPa, while those subjected to natural drying reached an average of 2.94 MPa. However, it is worth noting that there was a more significant variation in the compressive strength of the blocks subjected to the latter drying technique.