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Production of ceramic bodies from Tunisian Cretaceous clays

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2018

M. Hachani ,
W. Hajjaji ,
B. Moussi ,
M. Medhioub ,
F. Rocha ,
J. A. Labrincha  and
F. Jamoussi
M. Hachani
Affiliation:
Laboratoire de Valorisation des Matériaux Utiles, CNRSM. BP273, 8020 Soliman Tunisia
W. Hajjaji*
Affiliation:
Geobiotec, Geosciences Dept., University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal Ceramics and Glass Engineering Dept. and CICECO, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
B. Moussi
Affiliation:
Laboratoire de Valorisation des Matériaux Utiles, CNRSM. BP273, 8020 Soliman Tunisia
M. Medhioub
Affiliation:
Faculty of Science Sfax, 3018, Sfax-Tunisia
F. Rocha
Affiliation:
Geobiotec, Geosciences Dept., University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
J. A. Labrincha
Affiliation:
Ceramics and Glass Engineering Dept. and CICECO, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
F. Jamoussi
Affiliation:
Laboratoire de Valorisation des Matériaux Utiles, CNRSM. BP273, 8020 Soliman Tunisia
*
*E-mail: w.hajjaji@ua.pt
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Abstract

The aim of this research was to assess the potential application of the Late Cretaceous levels as raw material for the production of ceramic tiles. Mineralogical, chemical and grain size distribution studies were carried out on four clays sampled at different sites in the Tunisian Central Atlas. Clays are mainly composed of phyllosilicates, usually illite and kaolinite. Quartz, feldspars and dolomite were also detected.

Tiles were prepared by pressing clay bodies at 250 bar and then firing at different temperatures following industrial conditions as closely as possible. Thermal analysis showed the influence of mineralogical composition and grain size distribution on the material behaviour during firing. The physical properties of fired tiles were obtained from specific tests in accordance with international standards (ISO), i.e. the firing shrinkage, water absorption, apparent density and flexural strength. The development of physical properties indicates an optimal firing range between 1050–1150°C. Results demonstrate the potential of Late Cretaceous materials as raw materials for the production of ceramic tiles.

Keywords

Tunisian Central AtlasCretaceous claysapplicationsceramic tilestechnological properties
Type
Research Article
Information
Clay Minerals , Volume 47 , Issue 1 , March 2012 , pp. 59 - 68
Copyright
Copyright © The Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland 2012

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