Crack Reduction during Drying Process by Using Surfactant

Abstract

In this research clay brick samples were made from illitic clays. Surfactant was added to clay mass during formation process to reduce crack generation during drying process. Surfactant amount was changed below critical micelle concentration (CMC). Nonionic surfactant Triton X-100 was used. Samples were prepared using extruder. Clay mass samples were analysed by granulometry, surfactant by contact angle and surface tension measurements and brick samples by microscope to determine crack amount. Changing surfactant amount closer to CMC is possible to reduce crack amount in sample during drying stage.