Minerological studies on five plastic fire clays

Mineralogical studies on five plastic fire clays of India have been carried out by DTA, TG and electron microscopy. Studies were done on both as received and <1 fraction of clays. Results indicated that all the clays were predominantly kaolinite in nature and showed the main endothermic peak between 540° and 590°C and the exothermic peak between 920° and 985°C. A large exothermic peak at 810°C and a weight loss of 5.35% between 700° and 900°C in case of Barachatarma clay indicated the presence of graphitic carbon in the same. Both Neyveli and Badampahar clays contained illite and goethite. Electron micrographs of Mohuamilan and Neyveli clays showed hexagonal flakes of well-ordered kaolinite. Some tubular particles were seen in Chittorpur, Neyveli and Badampahar clays in addition to the kaolinite particles.The authors are thankful to Dr. B. K. Sarkar, director of the Institute for his kind permission to publish this paper.