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Influence of Thermal Treatment of Moroccan Red Clay on its Physicochemical and Mechanical Behavior

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2024

M. A. Harech*
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Materials Sciences and Processes Optimization, Chemistry of Condensed Matter and Environment Team, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, 40000, Marrakech, Morocco
T. Labbilta
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Materials Sciences and Processes Optimization, Chemistry of Condensed Matter and Environment Team, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, 40000, Marrakech, Morocco
Y. Abouliatim
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Materials, Processes, Environment, and Quality, National School of Applied Sciences of Safi, Cadi Ayyad University, 46000, Safi, Morocco
Y. Elhafiane
Affiliation:
Institut de Recherche Sur Les Céramiques, IRCER - UMR 7315, Université de Limoges, Centre Européen de La Céramique, 12 rue Atlantis, 87068, Limoges Cedex, France
A. Benhammou
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Materials, Processes, Environment, and Quality, National School of Applied Sciences of Safi, Cadi Ayyad University, 46000, Safi, Morocco
A. Abourriche
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Materials, Processes, Environment, and Quality, National School of Applied Sciences of Safi, Cadi Ayyad University, 46000, Safi, Morocco
A. Smith
Affiliation:
Institut de Recherche Sur Les Céramiques, IRCER - UMR 7315, Université de Limoges, Centre Européen de La Céramique, 12 rue Atlantis, 87068, Limoges Cedex, France
L. Nibou
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Materials, Processes, Environment, and Quality, National School of Applied Sciences of Safi, Cadi Ayyad University, 46000, Safi, Morocco
M. Mesnaoui
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Materials Sciences and Processes Optimization, Chemistry of Condensed Matter and Environment Team, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, 40000, Marrakech, Morocco Center of Excellence in Soil and Fertilizer Research in Africa (CESFRA), AgroBioSciences, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, 43150, Ben Guerir, Morocco
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Abstract

Red clay is considered to be of significant value to the economy in Morocco, particularly in the Safi region, because of its abundance. This raw material has long been known for its quality in the manufacture of clay materials, but its use was limited to traditional ceramics. The red clay raw material was the subject of the current study with the objective of opening new industrial applications that will give added value to the Safi red clay. The physicochemical, mineralogical, and thermal properties of the Moroccan red clay were determined by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), oriented aggregate, and particle-size analyses, powder density by helium pycnometry, carbonate content using the Bernard method, differential thermal analysis (TG–DTA), and the BET surface area. The compacted dry powder particles were calcined at three sintering temperatures: 900, 1000, and 1100°C for 2 h. The effect of sintering temperature on ceramic properties, such as apparent porosity, water adsorption, bulk density, and mechanical strength, was examined. Dense ceramics with lower porosity and greater mechanical resistance (~300%) were produced by increasing the sintering temperature from 900 to 1100°C. The conclusion was that the evolution of physicochemical and thermal properties is related to mineralogical changes, which show that anorthite is the major phase at higher temperatures.

Information

Type
Original Paper
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to The Clay Minerals Society 2022
Figure 0

Table 1 Chemical analysis and mineralogical composition of red clay

Figure 1

Fig. 1 XRD pattern of the raw clay powder. I: Illite, C: Calcite, K: Kaolinite, Q: Quartz, D: Dolomite, H: Hematite

Figure 2

Fig. 2 XRD patterns of oriented aggregates: a normal oriented aggregates and b heated at 550°C

Figure 3

Fig. 3 DTA-TG curves of the red clay

Figure 4

Fig. 4 Dilatometric curve of the red clay

Figure 5

Fig. 5 Particle-size distribution of the red clay

Figure 6

Table 2 Particle-size distribution of red clay

Figure 7

Fig. 6 SEM image of the red clay

Figure 8

Fig. 7 XRD analysis of red clay fired at 600, 900, and 1100°C. I: Illite, C: Calcite, H: Hematite, Q: Quartz, Di: Diopside, A: Anorthite, M: Magnetite, G: Gehlenite

Figure 9

Fig. 8 Variation of density and the BET surface area of red clay powder

Figure 10

Table 3 Density of the minerals

Figure 11

Fig. 9 Open porosity and water adsorption after firing at 900 and 1100°C

Figure 12

Fig. 10 Density of ceramic pellets sintered at 900, 1000, and 1100°C

Figure 13

Fig. 11 SEM images of ceramic materials fired at: A 900, B 1000, and C 1100°C

Figure 14

Fig. 12 Color changes in the pellets after thermal treatment

Figure 15

Fig. 13 Effect of sintering temperature on the indirect tensile strength of ceramics