Abstract
This study focuses on the mineralogical, geochemical and petrographic characterization of three granite rock samples (LTP, LTS and LTMB) from Foumban, West Region of Cameroon. Fusibility tests were carried out on the samples containing the highest amount of alkali to assess the potential of these materials as fluxing admixture for ceramics. The results show that the granite consists of alkaline feldspars, notably orthoclase and microcline of perthitic micro-texture, plagioclases (in particular albite) and also mafic minerals such as amphibole and pyroxene. The quantity of alkali in the samples is quite high (16.83% for LTS, 17.08% for LTMB and 18.87% for LTP) compared to standard data. Fusibility tests carried out on the samples having the highest alkali content (LTMB and LTP) showed that the vitreous phase appears between 1050°C and 1100°C in these samples when they were heated. The Fe2O3 and TiO2 content of LTMB (3.01% and 1.49% respectively) led to a brown colour of its fired product. Therefore, based on their composition, these materials can be used as feldspathic fluxes for the formulation of ceramic products.
Highlights
This study focuses on the mineralogical, geochemical and petrographic characterization of three granite rock samples (LTP, LTS and LTMB) from Foumban, West Region of Cameroon
The secondary peaks are those of amphibole and pyroxene. These are common minerals found in feldspathic fluxes that are used in ceramic formulations [16] [17]
This study focused on the characterization of feldspathic materials from Foum
Summary
These minerals are common in rocks and have found several applications in different industries [1]. Feldspathic fluxes can be used in a wide range of ceramic products such as in wall tiles, floor tiles, sanitary ware and glasses [2] They play the role of degreaser during the firing of shards of glass on the one hand and on the other hand, because of their chemical compositions (rich in K2O and Na2O) promote the formation of a vitreous phase at lower melting temperatures [3]. The firing temperature of clay formulations containing a given proportion of feldspathic fluxes is considerably reduced, resulting in an energy gain
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