Abstract

In the present work, the chemical, mineralogical, refractory, and microstructural characterizations of kaolinites from the Huayacocotla‐Alumbres region, which is between Veracruz and Hidalgo border, by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), polarization optical microscopy (POM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), refractoriness proof (pyrometric cone equivalent), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were carried out. The analysis by POM showed that the kaolinization degree in this region is variable due to the presence of primary minerals, such as plagioclase, feldspar, and quartz. Additionally, hydrothermal alteration of the epithermal type was determined by oxidation of sulfides (pyrite and galena) and chlorite association. With the X‐ray diffraction technique, andalusite and kaolinite were identified as the majority phases in Huayacocotla and quartz was identified as the majority phase in Alumbres. The minority phases, such as dickite, kaolinite, and cristobalite, were observed in both zones. The SEM technique was useful in the determination of the morphology of kaolinite and impurities of Na, Mg, K, and Fe of the complex clay illite‐andalusite‐dickite group. Thermogravimetric analysis was useful to discover the decomposition temperature and reveal the significant difference between 400 and 800°C, which showcases the greatest mass loss due to dehydration and carbonates decomposition. The mullite phase was detected at approximately 1000°C in the kaolin samples. The refractoriness tests were important to determine the stability temperature of kaolin, which is between 1300 and 1600°C. This stability temperature makes it feasible to use the kaolin as a refractory material for both low and high temperatures. The variables that affect the kaolin stability temperature were determined by principal components with the XLSTAT free program.

Highlights

  • Kaolin is a natural clay; it is an alteration product of feldspathic rocks whose main component is kaolinite [1]

  • Some characteristic problems of kaolin are the presence of minerals, such as iron oxide and iron sulfides, which act as coloring agents during the burning of ceramic pieces [3] and that the bending strength of ceramic tile is diminished when the pore size is reduced at a temperature higher than 1000°C [4]

  • Kaolin is an important raw material employed in ceramic manufacture; some kaolinite clay types have been used to prepare ceramics based on mullite because it has high-stability temperature, high refractoriness, high resistance to corrosive agents, and other desirable properties [7, 8]. e mineralogical compositions of clays are important aspects to evaluate since they directly influence the physical and mechanical qualities of fabricated ceramic products [7,8,9,10]

Read more

Summary

Research Article

Mineralogical, and Refractory Characterization of Kaolin in the Regions of Huayacocotla-Alumbres, Mexico. The chemical, mineralogical, refractory, and microstructural characterizations of kaolinites from the Huayacocotla-Alumbres region, which is between Veracruz and Hidalgo border, by X-ray diffraction (XRD), polarization optical microscopy (POM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), refractoriness proof (pyrometric cone equivalent), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were carried out. E analysis by POM showed that the kaolinization degree in this region is variable due to the presence of primary minerals, such as plagioclase, feldspar, and quartz. With the X-ray diffraction technique, andalusite and kaolinite were identified as the majority phases in Huayacocotla and quartz was identified as the majority phase in Alumbres. E SEM technique was useful in the determination of the morphology of kaolinite and impurities of Na, Mg, K, and Fe of the complex clay illite-andalusite-dickite group. With the X-ray diffraction technique, andalusite and kaolinite were identified as the majority phases in Huayacocotla and quartz was identified as the majority phase in Alumbres. e minority phases, such as dickite, kaolinite, and cristobalite, were observed in both zones. e SEM technique was useful in the determination of the morphology of kaolinite and impurities of Na, Mg, K, and Fe of the complex clay illite-andalusite-dickite group. ermogravimetric analysis was useful to discover the decomposition temperature and reveal the significant difference between 400 and 800°C, which showcases the greatest mass loss due to dehydration and carbonates decomposition. e mullite phase was detected at approximately 1000°C in the kaolin samples. e refractoriness tests were important to determine the stability temperature of kaolin, which is between 1300 and 1600°C. is stability temperature makes it feasible to use the kaolin as a refractory material for both low and high temperatures. e variables that affect the kaolin stability temperature were determined by principal components with the XLSTAT free program

Introduction
Advances in Materials Science and Engineering
Materials and Methods
Results and Discussion
Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call