On the occurrence of anatase in sedimentary kaolin

Abstract

It has been shown recently by Brindley and Robinson that anatase could be recognized by X-ray diffraction technique in fireclays from Scotland and Yorkshire which contained from one to two per cent. of titanium dioxide. These authors remark that the anatase appeared to be of a fineness comparable to the kaolin mineral which was the main constituent, and although kaolinites from various sources throughout the world were examined, in no case was either anatase or rutile detected.The object of this note is to draw attention to the presence of anatase in the sedimentary kaolins of Georgia and perhaps South Carolina, U.S.A. According to Smith 115 kaolin samples from Georgia had on an average 1·13 % of TiO2 by chemical analysis. The values ranged from 0·5 to 2·2 % of TiO2. This is in marked contrast to most primary kaolins; those of Cornwall and Devon, for instance, have as a rule below 0·2 % of TiO2.