Abstract
Problem statement: Mixture of the right proportion of expanding and n on-expanding clays to improve plasticity (moldability) of clays used i n the pot industry of Malaysia is yet to be well investigated. In addition, little is known about th e choice of the right clay size to eliminate or red uce the content of undesirable compounds such as Fe 2O3, Al 2O3 to improve the strength of pots and roofing tiles in the country. The objective of this study w as to investigate how selected physico-chemical properties of pottery clay relate to grain size of Nyalau series ((Typic Paleudults). Approach: Soil samples were refined into 25, 20 and 63 µm using si ze grading method. The mineralogical composition of the samples was determined using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). The chemical composition of the samples was also determined using standard procedures. Firing was done at 800°C) in a muffle furnace and the cracks of the samples recorded. Results: The clay particles with sizes 20 and 25 µm were hi gher in LOI and total C than that those of 63 µm regardl ess of grain size, the clay investigated had quartz (SiO 2), illite-montmorillonite, Anatase ((TiO 2) and kaolinite. Grading affected the concentration s of Fe, Al and Si as clays with particle sizes 20 and 25 µm had higher contents of the aforementioned elements compared with those of 63 µm. The clay with particl es 63 µm had the best strength and this was so because the clay particles had the lowest amount of Fe, Al and Si. Conclusion: The strength of Malaysian pots could be improved upon proper grading of the clay particles.
Highlights
The pottery and ceramic related industries in the world have been in existence for many centuries
The combined kaolinite export of only 3 Malaysian firms has been estimated at 144 kt year−1. This quantity is greater than the combined export of the aforementioned countries. This indicates that if some of the kaolinite is locally used to produce high quality pots and roofing tiles that are less breakable, the socio-economic contribution of the pottery and ceramic related industries to the economy of Malaysia could tremendous than it is at the moment
The effect of grading on Loss On Ignition (LOI) Fig. 1: Effect of temperature (800°C) on the strength of and total carbon of the clay investigated in this study is clay particles with 20 μm after firing for 5 h
Summary
The pottery and ceramic related industries in the world have been in existence for many centuries. An example of non expanding crystalline silicate clay, is abundant in the tropics including soils of Sarawak, Malaysia Even though it is non plastic, it is commonly used in the pottery and other ceramic related industries as the nonexpanding nature allows it to be fired or dried in the process of making pots or roofing materials without cracking from shrinkage[1]. This quantity is greater than the combined export of the aforementioned countries This indicates that if some of the kaolinite is locally used to produce high quality pots and roofing tiles that are less breakable, the socio-economic contribution of the pottery and ceramic related industries to the economy of Malaysia could tremendous than it is at the moment
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