Characteristics of clays from Pamukkale (Denizli) region and their usability in ceramic sector

Abstract

X-Ray fluorescence, thermal analyses, X-Ray diffractions, Attenberg limits, and particle size analyses are used to determine mineralogical, physico-chemical, and thermal properties of three clays from the Asartepe (LE2) and Kizilburun (LE3 and LE4) formations from northeastern of the Pamukkale (Denizli) region. There are no significant differences between the samples with respect to their chemical and mineralogical compositions. Mineralogically, red clays (LE2) comprise mainly quartz and small amount hematite, illite as clay minerals, and chlorite, kaolinite and chlorite/smectite as minor clay minerals. Marl clays (LE3 and LE4) were also rich in quartz, calcite, and pyroxene minerals, illite and a small amount of chlorite, kaolinite and chlorite/smectite as clay minerals. Chemically, red clays consist of high amount of SiO2 (% 52.0), Fe2O3 (% 7.7) and Al2O3 (% 19.2) and marly clays have also lower SiO2 (% 40.1-44.5), Al2O3 (% 12.7-14.0), and higher CaO (13.2-16.5) and MgO (% 3.6-3.8) compositions. LOI (% 14.2-17.7) contents of the all clay samples are high. As a result, in industrial suitability point of view, characteristics of red clays are suitable for common brick manufacturing. However, marly clays have favourable properties for thin-walled hollow brick production and can be used for manufacturing of common brick with some modification.