Types Of Kaolin Research Articles

Kaolin—A most diverse rock in genesis, texture, physical properties, and uses

The rock kaolin exhibits wider diversity in genesis, texture, physical properties, and uses than probably any other common rock. Its diverse textures, shown in scanning electron micrographs, are correlative with, and indicative of genesis and industrial use of, kaolin. Kaolin originates by weathering, by hydrothermal alteration, or by crystallization from colloid-size sediment whose chemical composition is congruent with that of kaolinite. Some kaolins freely slake into clay-sized particles when wetted with water and likewise develop natural plasticity; their texture is characterized by loosely expanded and packed crystals. Industrial uses of this type of kaolin exploit its free-slaking property. Other kaolins, of diametrically opposite properties, do not slake and do not become plastic when immersed in water; their texture is one of compact, tightly interlocking crystals. They are appropriately used in industry where selected size, shape, and original bulk density in crushed clay particles must be maintained despite wetting.

Scan Electron Micrographs of Kaolins Collected from Diverse Environments of Origin—IV. Georgia Kaolin and Kaolinizing Source Rocks

AbstractScan electron micrographs (SEMs), are shown of three representative types of Georgia kaolin: ‘soft’, Cretaceous-age clay; ‘hard’, fine-grained clay; and ‘flint kaolin’.Sparta Granite and a thick deposit of its overlying saprolite are taken to serve as examples of probable source rock for Georgia kaolin. SEMs are presented to show sequential argillation of this fresh granite through a transition zone to the saprolite. The saprolite contains abundant books of kaolinite similar to those occurring in Cretaceous kaolin, accompanied by some elongates, whereas in the transition zone elongates are predominant. A morphologic type of fibrous, elongate 1:1 clay mineral, hitherto not illustrated, is shown from kaolinizing Sparta Granite, and from Pre-Cambrian saprolitic gneiss 25 km south of Athens, GA.Whereas kaolin elongates originated in contact with feldspar in the Sparta transition zone, well-formed books of kaolinite are shown to have been formed in contact with feldspar in the saprolite from a Missouri granite. The arkose above the granite in the Missouri occurrence has altered to loosely packed books of kaolinite. The interpretation is made that book-type kaolinite, where it occurs in large deposits of saprolite or kaolin, was formed under geochemical conditions of relative chemical stability between kaolinite and feldspar, as might prevail in a geological ‘weathering crust’. It is interpreted that elongate kaolin morphology may be formed under conditions of limited or lesser geochemical stability.SEMs show that the established book-morphology of Sparta saprolite is disarranged during secondary Holocene surface weathering and pedogenic processing.SEMs show that books of kaolinite, although individually fragile, may be protected from destruction or delamination during artificial blunging and transport when moved within naturally coalesced pellets. Possibly original books of weathered kaolinite might similarly survive natural stream transport during sedimentational processes.Some ‘flint kaolin’ contains molds of sponge spicules coated with low-cristobalite.

Scan Electron Micrographs of Kaolins Collected from Diverse Environments of Origin—V. Kaolins Collected in Australia and Japan on Field Trips of the Sixth and Seventh Clay Conferences

AbstractScan electron micrographs are shown of the textures of flint clays, tonsteins, kaolin associated with combustion-metamorphism, sedimentary kaolin, and dickite from the Sydney Basin of Australia. The textures of the flint clays and tonsteins indicate those clays were derived largely from volcanic products. The clay samples were collected at stops on the Kaolin Excursion No. 4 of the August, 1976, International Geological Congress.In like manner, kaolin samples were collected in Japan from stops made on the field excursions of the Seventh Conference of the Committee on Correlation of Age and Genesis of Kaolin which met in Tokyo, September, 1976. SEMs illustrate representative kaolins of Japan, including Gaerome and Kibushi types of kaolin, Roseki (‘wax stone’) pyrophyllite and dickite, hydrothermal kaolin at Itaya, and flint clay at Iwate. Varied morphologies of halloysite, including spherical halloysite, from the Yamaka open-pit at Naegi are micrographed.Word descriptions of the textures are frustratingly inadequate in comparison to what may be seen at a glance in the micrographs—hence, the abstract becomes in reality a rapid view of the SEMs.

Transformations of Micas in the Process of Kaolinitization of Granites and Gneisses

AbstractMicas are described from the kaolin type Tertiary weathering crusts formed on granites and gneisses of Lower Silesia, Poland. In the weathering crust, large scale processes of transformation of micas (muscovite, biotite) take place. Weathering of micas is a gradual transformation of their structures by removal of the mobile cations Mg2+ Fe2+ Fe3+ and finally K +. Muscovite transforms into kaolinite through the intergrowths of two phases, mica and kaolinite. A degradation series, muscovite → mica/montmorillonite → montmorillonite → kaolinite also is observed. Biotite passes directly into kaolinite, but at higher concentrations of K and Al one observes the following sequence of biotite degradation: biotite → dioctahedral mica rich in Fe → dioctahedral mica poor in Fe → kaolinite. This process involves the exchange of Mg2+ and then Fe2+ of octahedral layers by Al3+ less mobile under weathering conditions. In the next stage of degradation, K + removal and kaolinite formation takes place. The micas representing different stages of this transformation, dark green, light-green, and silver-white, have been separated and investigated.

Influence of clay-solute interactions on aqueous copper ion levels

The extent to which Cu (II) species are removed from aqueous solution by kaolinite clay suspensions has been shown to vary with solution pH, the nature of any ligands present, and the order of contact of the :species. The ability of kaolin type clays to sorb both anions and cations introduces some unexpected effects, and raises some interesting queries in regard to the release of Cu from clay soils and stream sediments.

Phosphorus Supplying Capacity of Lowland Rice Soils

AbstractIn a greenhouse experiment with rice (Oryza sativa L.) on four lowland soils, Milfor 6(2), an indica variety from the Philippines, was used to test the relative utilization of soil and fertilizer P (P32‐labelled superphosphate) at various N rates. Added P remaining in solution in six soils was also determined using Ca (H2P32O4)2 at various equilibration times.From 8 to 27% of the total P in the plant was derived from applied P, the amount presumably depending on the availability of soil P under continuous submergence. In general the amount derived was not affected by different levels of N fertilization. The results indicate that, by using the ‘A’ value concept, the rice plant itself gives an indication of the P supplying capacity of some flooded rice soils. Results also show that within 4 days of equilibration the added P remaining in solution was lowest in acid latosolic soils containing kaolin type minerals, moderately high in soils containing mainly montmorillonite, and essentially unaltered in calcareous soil.

The Hydroxyl Factor in Shale Control

Abstract The influence of the hydroxyl factor is more damaging to formations penetrated and causes greater consumption of drilling mud additives than previously realized. This hydroxyl effect on clays is essentially independent of the cations present in the drilling fluid and thus differs from the base exchange reactions that have preoccupied mud chemistry with sodium and calcium bentonite concepts for nearly two decades. The new organic polyelectrolyte- conditioned muds have made it possible to use materials other than sodium hydroxide to maintain the alkalinity of such muds. The properties of silicates, as indicated by their dissociation characteristics and buffering action, are such that they can control the pH and alkalinity of drilling muds at the desired level and, at the same time, minimize undesirable hydroxyl effects associated with sodium hydroxide. This use of silicate compounds is different and distinct from prior applications of silicates as deflocculants or shale preservers. Laboratory and field data presented in this report show that silicate compositions can be utilized to adjust the alkalinity of drilling muds and, at the same time, minimize hydroxyl-promoted clay cleavage. Introduction Studies for improving the efficiency of rotary drilling techniques must consider the chemistry of drilling fluids and of the formations being penetrated. The chemical aspects of drilling must be studied in conjunction with and in relation to the mechanical factors if, for example, penetration rates are to be optimized. Drilling fluid technology has been largely influenced by chemical reactions of the montmorillonite (bentonite) clay minerals. Most of the literature of mud chemistry concerns the properties of bentonite. Clays of the kaolin or illite type, which are nonswelling, are not generally regarded as sources of drilling mud problems. If these nonswelling shale clays are considered, they are commonly regarded as inert solids. Particularly noteworthy is the fact that the relation of surface and colloid chemistry to massive shale bodies has received only scant attention from drilling technologists. Clay studies reported in the drilling mud literature have dealt, for the most part, with the properties of clays in a finely divided state, and often in very dilute suspensions. Yet frequently during drilling, shale problems not related to the rheology of clay suspensions develop in massive non-bentonitic shale sections of zero or near zero permeability. This paper is concerned with surface chemical reactions that can influence the behavior of these non-bentonite clay masses in such a manner as to adversely affect drilling operations. Browning and Perricone have pointed out that some of the most troublesome shales to drill, such as the Atoka, contain no montmorillonites. They also pointed out that mud problems can frequently be mitigated by reduction of clay cleavage achieved by using drilling fluids with a minimum of available hydroxyl ions. If pronounced clay cleavage occurs during drilling, the borehole may soften, increasing the possibility of sloughing In addition the resulting increased incorporation of high-surface-area clay solids into the mud system can reduce penetration rates and necessitate greater chemical treatment. This increase of shale, of colloidal or near-colloidal dimensions, into the drilling mud is due to clay aggregate cleavage and not to base exchange or swelling reactions, such as occur with bentonites. Searle and Grimshaw point out the difference between cleavage or slaking reactions of nonswelling clays (such as illite and kaolinite) and the swelling of bentonite. They further state that the speed of slaking is increased with alkaline water. Eitel cites Salmang and Becker, who recognized that clay surface reactions impart plasticity and workability to clay masses. Their results clearly show that all liquids which contain hydroxyl groups in their molecules favor the workability of clays. The ancient technique of aging clays in the moist condition to increase their "workability" is evidence that these clay cleavage phenomena are of considerable importance. The same hydration cleavage that occurs during the aging of nonswelling clays for ceramic use also acts to break up cuttings and soften the borehole during drilling operations. The mechanism of cleavage of the crystalline aggregates of illitic, kaolinitic and other nonswelling clays; and the chemical means of controlling this cleavage are therefore of considerable significance to the drilling mud chemistry. Inasmuch as there is little reference in the drilling mud literature to the cleavage reactions of nonswelling clays, the structure of these clays and certain properties that relate to the mechanism of clay cleavage will be reviewed briefly. JPT P. 1177ˆ

A Study of Spalling Found in Porcelain Enamel After Repeated Freezing and Thawing in the Presence of Moisture

A study was made of the spalling defect found on porcelain enamel liners in cold‐wall domestic refrigerators. A test machine was built to duplicate the environment of the enamel in the moist compartment of the cold‐wall type box. The test machine held ten 1‐ft.‐sq. test panels. The panels were fastened to freezing coils in the same manner as in a commercial box. A trough kept at a constant level of water provided the moisture. The thawing of the plates was done by ten 250‐watt heat lamps, each lamp focused on a test panel. The lamps were wired synchronously with the refrigeration circuit. It was found that enamels with a low bubble structure were superior in their spall resistance. Titanium enamel appeared better than other types, particularly when a clay of the kaolin type was used as the suspending agent.

Mineralogy and Crystal Structure of Chamosite

CHAMOSITE is a hydrous ferrous silicate, of common occurrence especially in bedded ironstone deposits. While it has generally been regarded as belonging to the chlorite family of minerals, evidence has accumulated tending to show that it is not a normal chlorite. To obtain more certain information on this question, a detailed analysis has been made of the X-ray powder diagrams of a number of chamosite specimens ; the results obtained lead me to conclude that chamosite is not a chlorite but has a structure of the kaolin type. Two other iron-bearing minerals, namely, amesite and cronstedtite, originally classified as chlorites, have also in recent years been shown by Gruner1 and by Hendricks2 respectively to be kaolin-type minerals. While these are comparatively rare minerals, chamosite is a very common mineral. Its recognition as a kaolin-type structure is of general interest in that it brings the kaolin group of structures more nearly into line with other groups of clay minerals in which iron-bearing members are quite common.

Qualitative Tests on Kaolin, Pottery Stone and Pegmatite discovered in Korea

There have recently been discovered in Korea some deposits of “Gairome” type of Kaolin, containing quartz sands, Liparite type of Pottery stone and “Cornish stone” type of Pegmatite.Physical, chemical, firing and manufacturing tests were made on them and was secured that they are suitable for the manufacture of all white ware bodies and other ceramic products.

NOTE ON THE DISCOVERY OF A KAOLIN DEPOSIT IN NEW MEXICO

There has recently been discovered in New Mexico a deposit of the English type of kaolin which is of more than ordinary interest. These beds are located in Township 21 South, Range 3 East, Dona Ana County, and occur about fifty miles north of El Paso, Texas.The deposits are of the residual type and have been formed through the chemical process of decomposition of feldspathic materials and leaching. They do not outcrop naturally but occur in the upper workings of a mine at one time worked for metalliferous minerals. The present estimated depth is from 150 to 200 feet from the surface.The kaolin is massive and white in color. Tunnels of great length have been driven through it and it stands in remarkable fashion. For the most part the kaolin appears to have been formed similarly to the deposits in England. It is imminently plastic and fine in grain and due to its extreme whiteness is suitable for paper filler.Tests which have been made show it to have admirable working qualities, comparable with the imported English variety.

NOTE ON THE DISCOVERY OF A KAOLIN DEPOSIT IN NEW MEXICO

There has recently been discovered in New Mexico a deposit of the English type of kaolin which is of more than ordinary interest. These beds are located in Township 21 South, Range 3 East, Dona Ana County, and occur about fifty miles north of El Paso, Texas. The deposits are of the residual type and have been formed through the chemical process of decomposition of feldspathic materials and leaching. They do not outcrop naturally but occur in the upper workings of a mine at one time worked for metalliferous minerals. The present estimated depth is from 150 to 200 feet from the surface. The kaolin is massive and white in color. Tunnels of great length have been driven through it and it stands in remarkable fashion. For the most part the kaolin appears to have been formed similarly to the deposits in England. It is imminently plastic and fine in grain and due to its extreme whiteness is suitable for paper filler. Tests which have been made show it to have admirable working qualities, comparable with the imported English variety.