New Clayey Deposit and Their Potential as Raw Material for Red or Structured Ceramics: Technological Characterization
Ana Rosa S Assunção1, Gricirene Sousa Correia1, Nazaré do Socorro L S Vasconcelos1
1Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Maranhão, Av. Getúlio Vargas-04, Monte Castelo, São Luís 65025-001, Brazil.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|December 24, 2021
Summary
Ceramic raw materials from Caxias, Brazil, were analyzed for their mineralogy and technological properties. These materials show significant potential for producing red and structured ceramics like bricks and tiles.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Mineralogy
- Ceramics Engineering
Background:
- The ceramics industry in northeastern Brazil requires locally sourced raw materials.
- A new deposit in Caxias, Maranhão State, Brazil, was identified as a potential source of ceramic raw materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a mineralogical and technological characterization of ceramic raw materials from a new deposit in Caxias, Brazil.
- To evaluate the potential of these materials for the ceramics industry in northeastern Brazil.
Main Methods:
- Samples were collected from three locations and analyzed using X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential thermal analysis (DTA), and thermogravimetry (TG).
- Technological properties including cation exchange capacity (CEC), Atterberg Limits, linear shrinkage (LSF), flexural strength (FS), apparent porosity (AP), water absorption (WA), and bulk density (BD) were determined.
Main Results:
- XRF analysis revealed key components like SiO2 (35-51 wt%), Al2O3 (19-29 wt%), and Fe2O3 (2-21 wt%).
- Identified mineral phases included quartz, kaolinite, illite, hematite, and montmorillonite, confirmed by DTA and TG.
- Technological tests showed promising results: WA (9-17%), AP (19-31%), FS (2.0-23 MPa), and suitable Atterberg limits.
Conclusions:
- The characterized ceramic raw materials possess high potential for use in the production of red or structured ceramics.
- Applications include the manufacturing of bricks and roof tiles, supporting the regional ceramics industry.
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