| Summary: | In this study, we develop ceramic formulations based on quartzite and scheelite tailings collected from mining companies in the northeast of Brazil (Rio Grande do Norte State). New ceramic samples (27 wt% of kaolin, 29 wt% of plastic clay, 11 wt% of quartzite tailing, and 0–8 wt% scheelite tailing) were uniaxially pressed in two steps (20 MPa and 50 Mpa for 20 s); dried at 110 °C for 24 h; and sintered at 1150 °C, 1200 °C, and 1250 °C. The main mineralogical phases (mullite, quartz, calcite, and anorthite) of the sintered samples were identified using X-ray diffraction (XRD). After evaluation of the physical-mechanical properties (water absorption, linear shrinkage, apparent porosity, and flexural strength), it was observed that the incorporation of scheelite tailing by up to 8 wt% did not significantly alter the properties of samples sintered at all temperatures. Our results indicate that the new ceramics formulations developed have strong potentials in manufacturing sustainable materials such as ceramic tiles and porcelain stoneware.
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