Utilisation of High Energy Propellant Waste in Manufacturing of Fired Clay Bricks to Enhance the Acoustic Properties

Abstract

The disposal and waste management of solid high energy propellant (HEP) is a considerate conservational problem. HEP waste is currently disposed in open or confined burning which may cause environmental hazards. In this paper, we examined and discussed results on recycling of HEP waste into fired clay bricks baked in different orientation. HEP modified bricks with 1.5%, 3% and 5 wt. % HEP waste content were manufactured and tested, and then compared against virgin clay bricks without HEP content. The effect of directional orientation of bricks baked with varying HEP content on acoustic properties were experimented and discussed. The sound transmission loss decreases with increase in HEP waste due to formation of independently closed directional pores. The transmission loss of horizontally baked during firing of bricks is nearly 5dB lower than vertically baked bricks. Results of the experimental studies indicate that HEP waste can be utilised in fired clay bricks and different orientation baking further enhances the acoustic properties.