The article presents the results of research on application of sintering and crystallization initiators based on a composition of blast-furnace granulated slag and glass wastes in the ceramic masses for production of ceramic paving blocks by vibro-pressing. The leading role of sintering and crystallization initiators in assuring the strong and dense structure of ceramic pieces was updated. The main laws of changes in physical and mechanical properties of ceramic paving stone samples depending on the amount of sintering and crystallization initiators in the burning temperature range 950–1000 °C have been established. It was determined that the availability of finely dispersed glass powder (fraction less than 0.1 mm) as a component of crystallization sintering initiators contributes to early emergence of liquid phase in the ceramic mass, as softening temperature of glass powder begins already at 720–750 °C. According to the results of X-ray phase and electron microscopic analysis it was determined that crystallization of low-temperature form of ß-wollastonite (CaSiO3) is observed in the samples burnt at the temperature range of 950–1000 °C. It was proved that the availability of ß-wollastonite in the ceramic mass serves as a reinforcing component. It has been established that high strength values are achieved in those compositions where ß-wollastonite crystallization in the burning products is the highest. As a result of scientific and experimental work the feasibility of producing the ceramic paving stones by vibropressing containing sintering and crystallization initiators that meet the requirements of quality, aesthetics, environmental friendliness, resource- and energy-saving was proved.

The article presents the results of a study of the chemical and mineralogical composition of the raw material components in the ceramic mass and provides techniques for the technology of laying ceramic material by vibropressing using talc rock in the mass and methods for determining the composition of clay raw materials. Formulations for the production of ceramic road surfaces, taking into account the factors of preference for mixtures to improve the properties of the finished product as a molding, drying and ceramic material, have been studied in two different components. It was found that the introduction of talc into the ceramic composition has an effect on the formation of high-temperature augite and amphibole phases and the intensification of the formation of minerals in clay, on the formation of high-temperature phases - sanidine, ackermanite elements. This process leads to an increase in the physical and mechanical properties of the resulting samples.The main patterns of formation of the structure and phase of ceramic compositions by firing in the temperature range 1000оC-1100оC were studied by isothermal control.In this pattern, sintering processes with solid and solid liquid-phase syntheses were carried out to ensure the phase - mineral composition, the study clarified the production of high-strength and frost-resistant ceramic pavement. In order to be used in the improvement of the city territory (sidewalks, alleys, park areas, playgrounds, etc.), the possibility of obtaining ceramic road surfaces that meet environmental and operational requirements has been proven. It has been established that one of the priority properties of ceramic road surfaces is a significant abundance of their porosity (25-30%), which allows you to quickly absorb moisture from precipitation (rain, sleet, etc.) and filter water through the body into the ground.Such properties of ceramic paving stones prevent the accumulation of moisture on the surface of the roadway and create comfortable conditions during pedestrian movement, reducing the likelihood of ice formation on the surface of the paving stones in the cold season.

This study investigated how minor additions of copper oxide (CuO), manganese oxide (MnO₂), and stainless steel (SS) influence the densification and mechanical performance of alumina-toughened zirconia (ATZ) composites consisting of 3Y-TZP and 20 wt% Al₂O₃. The doped compositions were compared with undoped ATZ, and all samples were consolidated by microwave sintering at 1250, 1350, and 1500 °C, with a heating rate of 30 °C/min and a dwell time of 5 min. Regardless of dopant type, relative density and mechanical properties rose steadily as the sintering temperature increased. Additions of 0.2 wt% CuO, 0.5 wt% MnO₂, and 0.2 wt% SS promoted densification and strengthened the composites without causing noticeable grain growth. The samples were characterized in terms of relative density, stability of the tetragonal phase, microstructural development, Vickers hardness, and fracture toughness. Among the additives, 0.2 wt% CuO proved the most effective at the lowest temperature (1250 °C), yielding a relative density of 97%, a hardness of 13.2 GPa, and a fracture toughness of 6.5 MPa·m¹ᐟ². By contrast, undoped ATZ reached similar values only at considerably higher sintering temperatures. ANOVA results confirmed that CuO doping had the most significant positive effect on both hardness (H) and fracture toughness (K_IC) at every temperature examined. The findings further indicate that microwave sintering is more effective than conventional sintering in enhancing the densification and mechanical properties of ceramic composites.

The article presents the results of studying the physical-mechanical and chemical-mineralogical characteristics of raw materials and suggests a raw material composition based on clay for creating a technology of ceramic paving stones by vibropressing using talc rock. The compositions of ceramic compositions for the production of ceramic paving stones are studied, taking into account the dominant factors of a two-component mixture to improve the molding, drying and physical and mechanical properties of the finished product.

This article presents scientific research on developing the optimal composition of ceramic wall materials based on local raw materials. The aim is to develop an optimal composition of a ceramic material with improved thermal insulation properties by adding a diatomite additive to the local raw materials to increase porosity and reduce density. During the research, the physicochemical properties of the raw materials, namely the clay from the Roman deposit and the diatomite from the Zhalpaq deposit, were determined. Test samples were prepared by adding 5–15% diatomite to the clay. Their physicomechanical, chemomineralogical, and structural properties were determined. For sample analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), equipped with a JSM-6490LV energy-dispersive microanalyzer, was used. X-ray diffraction (XRD); and Raman spectroscopy methods were used. According to the research results, adding 5-15% the addition of diatomaceous earth in the amount of 5–15% was shown to significantly affect the surface morphology, degree of porosity, structural uniformity, and agglomerate size of the studied samples, as well as the uniform distribution of elemental composition, The addition of 10% diatomite to the clay was shown to affect the change in crystalline phases and its physicomechanical properties. In conclusion, it was determined that adding 10% diatomite to the clay achieves the relatively highest degree of crystallinity, a uniform microstructure, and a relatively high compressive strength of 26.1 MPa. This showed that compared to other samples, the compressive strength increased by 15–23% and the thermal conductivity coefficient decreased by 1–11%. Thus, adding 10% diatomaceous earth to the clay was found to be an effective modifier.