Abstract
Five Saudi Arabia kaolin-bauxite representative samples were assessed for ceramic industries. Chemical and mineralogical composition of these samples were investigated using XRF, XRD, DTA and TG methods. Plasticity, physical and optical properties as well as firing characteristics were followed after firing up to 1500°C.The solid phase composition of the vitrified samples was also investigated using XRD method.All kaolin samples are mainly composed of the kaolinite clay mineral, in addition of variable amounts of gypsum, calcite and/or microcline and anatase non-clay minerals.They are classified as low grade type and belonging to Seger 2 Category, which is not suitable for manufacturing white ware ceramics. The more pure types are recommended for the production of fireclay refractories, while the other types are suitable for manufacturing heavyclay products, e.g. vitrified ceramic tiles and pipes. On the other hand, bauxite-rich samples are mainly composed of gibbsite and kaolinite as well as high amounts of goethite, gypsum and anatase.They are recommended for manufacturing aluminous fireclay refractories as well as Bayer's precipitated aluminium hydroxide, after subjecting to proper selective mining and physical beneficiation processes.
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