RED MUD FROM ALUMINA PLANTS AS A POSSIBLE SOURCE OF SYNTHETIC AGGREGATE

Red mud, from an alumina plant at Point Comfort, Texas, molded into balls and heated in a muffle furnace to 2300 to 2400 degrees F (1260 to 1316 degrees C), partially crystallizes and forms a strong, heavy, synthetic aggregate. Attempts to produce a lightweight aggregate by adding small amounts of gas-forming materials to the red mud before heating were unsuccessful. The additives used and the products formed are described. Apparently the red mud does not soften until heated to nearly 2400 degrees F. Gases given off at lower temperatures either blow the aggregates apart or escape through cracks without expanding the mass.

• Corporate Authors:

  American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

  100 Barr Harbor Drive, P.O. Box C700
  West Conshohocken, PA  United States  19428-2957
• Authors:
  • Blank, H R
• Publication Date: 1976-9

Media Info

• Features: Appendices;
• Pagination: p. 355-358
• Serial:
  • ASTM Journal of Testing and Evaluation
  • Volume: 4
  • Issue Number: 5
  • Publisher: Federal Highway Administration

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Additives; Aluminum oxide; Artificial aggregates; Mud; Waste products (Materials)
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00142199
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: Conf Paper
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 15 1976 12:00AM