This study investigates the development of sustainable ceramic materials using industrial and agricultural waste from the Kyzylorda region of Kazakhstan. The research focuses on the combined use of local clay, ash from the Kyzylorda thermal power plant (TPP), and rice husk ash (RHA). Experimental investigations included the evaluation of chemical composition, linear and volumetric shrinkage, water absorption, bulk density, and compressive strength of ceramic samples fired at 950–1050 °C. Microstructural (SEM) and phase composition (XRD) analyses were performed to explain the observed behavior. The results showed that the optimal composition was 70% clay, 20% TPP ash, and 10% RHA, which demonstrated the highest compressive strength (15.45 MPa), reduced water absorption, and improved densification. The enhanced performance is attributed to partial vitrification and viscous-phase-assisted densification and the formation of crystalline phases such as mullite, cristobalite, and anorthite. The study confirms that the combined use of TPP ash and RHA enables effective recycling of local waste materials and improves the physical and mechanical properties of ceramic products.
Uderbayev et al. (Thu,) studied this question.