New uses for brick-making clay materials from the Bailén area (southern Spain)

Abstract

AbstractAn attempt has been made to assess new potential applications for the Bailén clays, traditionally used for manufacturing bricks, based on mineralogical, chemical, particle size, plasticity and firing results. Raw materials and mixtures used by the local factory were selected and tested with the addition of some diatomite, feldspar or kaolin. Based on their properties, clay materials from Bailén might be suitable for making porous red wall tiles, clinker, vitrified red floor tiles and porous light-coloured wall tiles by pressing; the first could be manufactured from the raw materials and mixtures currently used by the local manufactures. On the other hand, stoneware shaped by extrusion, such as perforated bricks, facing bricks and roofing tiles, can be also manufactured from the mixtures used at the factory if they contain 20-25% carbonate and small amounts of iron oxides; lightweight bricks require black and yellow clays with diatomite.