Avaliação de novos depósitos de argilas do Estado da Paraíba visando sua aplicação como matérias-primas cerâmicas

In recent years, new clay deposits have been discovered in the state of Paraiba, Brazil, the characterization of these deposits having fundamental importance to establish the best industrial application. The aim of this study was to characterize clays from Cubati, PB, Brazil, to establish their appropriate uses as ceramic raw materials. Therefore, the raw materials were subjected to physical, chemical, mineralogical and thermal characterizations. The specimens were prepared by uniaxial pressing at 19 MPa, dryng at 110 oC, and fired at 750, 850, 950 and 1150 oC. The following physical and mechanical properties were studied: firing linear shrinkage, water absorption, apparent density and flexural modulus of rupture. The results showed that SiO2, Al2O3 and Fe2O3 were the main oxides present in the clays, whicht are constituted by smectite, kaolinite and quartz. The clay containing higher Al2O3/SiO2ratio, wider size distribution and the lower average particle diameter was the one that presented best mechanical performance. Three clays are suitable for use in white ceramic and one to red ceramic.