Production of boron addet perlite mixtures and lightweight building material (brick) from determination of their technical properties

Our country is the world leader in the production of perlite and boron ores. To operate these resources economically and transfer the products into high value added ones has gained importance. In recent years, perlite and boron has found widespread usage in the production of building materials. Expanded perlite is preferred due to its low unit weight, high heat and sound retention capability, workability and being economical. Besides, the boron minerals are preferred due to their binding and fire retardant properties. During the first stage of the studies, the geology and petrography of the raw materials were analyzed and samples to be used in the experiments were taken. The raw material characterization was carried out in the second stage of the PhD thesis. With the use of the characterization experiments, the use of the raw materials in the production of building materials was determined to be appropriate. After then, the laboratory studies started and brick production was carried out in four different prescriptions. At the end of the studies the final product was set by deciding the best mixture ratio the samples. The chemical, physical and mechanical properties of four different sizes of products together with the determined parameters such as process temperature and press and press pressure were optimized. At the final stage, experiments were performed according to TS and quality parameters were determined. As a result, the boron and clay added bricks produced from the Menderes perlite were approved to be used in the construction sector in terms of their technological properties.Key words: Perlite; Boron; Clay; Brick; Heat Conductivity; Neutron Capture