Abrasion Resistant Paver Production Utilising Modern Brickmaking Technology: Possibilities and Difficulties

The work aims to evaluate the necessary physical properties of Abrasion Resistant Pavers designed for high volume pedestrian and road vehicle traffic and their influence on the selection of raw materials and ceramic processes. The pavers' specifications such as high strength and ware resistance demand a careful clay preparation, slow drying, slow firing and a balanced chemical and mineralogical composition. Therefore, developing abrasion Resistant Pavers in existing modern brickmaking plants, which are designed primarily for making bricks and pavers for domestic applications, has become a challenge for manufacturers and ceramic professionals. The significance of quality control and research and development in the production of these high class pavers is also emphasised in this work through the investigation of a paver that exhibits shrinkage cracking.