Fabrication of Lightweight Anorthite Bodies from Lithomargic Clay

Lightweight anorthite bricks were fabricated by firing lithomargic clay with varied lime content. Mfensi clay was added as a binder, while sawdust was added to control porosity. The effect of lime on firing shrinkage, bulk density, apparent porosity, water absorption, and compressive strength of the anorthite bricks was investigated. Increasing lime content decreased firing shrinkage from 12% to 2% upon addition of 40 wt% lime. The bulk density and apparent porosity ranged from 0.77 to 0.96 g/cm ³ and 45 to 56%, respectively. Water absorption was between 46 and 73%, while compressive strength was between 0.2 and 1.2 MP a.