Caracterização físico-química da matéria-prima empregada na indústria cerâmica do município de Alexandria/RN

The limitations of small potteries regarding the study of the raw material used in the manufacture of ceramic products and adequacy of the characteristics and properties of this material in obtaining products that meet the specifications, motivated the development of this work, since the city of study has only one pottery that supplies the whole region. Objectified with the present study the characterization of clay mass used in the Alexandria - RN ceramic industry and evaluation of its viability as a raw material in the manufacture of red ceramic products. To the conduction took place the field survey, physical analysis and material chemistry. Clay characterizations were performed by X-ray fluorescence (FRX) assays, Atterberg boundaries, analyze particle size by sieving, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). Consistency limits show that the clay has acceptable levels and an optimal extrusion zone. Chemical analysis demonstrated heterogeneity and varying concentrations of its constituents (40,4% de Fe2O3, 29,57% de SiO2 e 16,66% de Al2O3). The results show that the raw material has inadequate particle size distribution and low plasticity, needing of a more plastic clay formulation and fine granulation, that works as a potentiator of plasticity. The results indicated that the dough formulation is deficient, not presenting some characteristics indicated for its use as raw material in the ceramic industry. Therefore, the results of this work point to the need for better clay mass adequacy, improving characteristics such as particle size and plasticity of material.