Abstract: Lightweight porous diatoms brick was prepared through compression molding and calcination using diatomite,chrysotile and kaolin as raw materials.The systematic investigations on the bulk density,water absorption,porosity,rupture modulus and moisture absorption-desorption of the diatomite brick were carried out.The structure and morphology of the diatomite brick were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM),respectively.The results show that water absorption and porosity of the diatomite brick decrease with the increase of chrysotile content and calcination temperature.On contrary,the rupture modulus of the diatomite brick was increased significantly.The rupture modulus,bulk density and apparent porosity of the diatoms brick are 10 MPa,1.18 g/cm3 and 47.97%,respectively,when the chrysotile content and calcination temperature are 10wt% and 900 ℃.These indicate that the diatomite brick has the prominent advantage of high strength,light weight,porous and well moisture absorption-desorption properties.

Key words: chrysotile fiber;diatomaceous earth;lightweight porous brick