Characterization of andalusite rich schist deposits from Oulmes region in central Morocco: Valorization in traditional ceramics
Achraf Harrati,
Youssef Arkame,
Ali Sdiri,
Abdelilah El Haddar,
Nassima Meftah,
Abdeslam El Bouari,
Chaouki Sadik
Affiliations
Achraf Harrati
Laboratory of Physical-Chemistry, Materials and Catalysis (LCPMC), Geomaterials and Materials for Energy Team, Faculty of Sciences Ben M'Sik, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco
Youssef Arkame
Laboratory of Physical-Chemistry, Materials and Catalysis (LCPMC), Geomaterials and Materials for Energy Team, Faculty of Sciences Ben M'Sik, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco
Ali Sdiri
National Engineering School, University of Sfax, P. Box 3052, Sfax, Tunisia
Abdelilah El Haddar
Laboratory of Applied Geosciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Mohammed 1, Oujda, Morocco
Nassima Meftah
Department of Physics, Faculty of Exact Sciences, University of El-Oued, 39000, El-Oued, Algeria
Abdeslam El Bouari
Laboratory of Physical-Chemistry, Materials and Catalysis (LCPMC), Geomaterials and Materials for Energy Team, Faculty of Sciences Ben M'Sik, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco
Chaouki Sadik
Laboratory of Physical-Chemistry, Materials and Catalysis (LCPMC), Geomaterials and Materials for Energy Team, Faculty of Sciences Ben M'Sik, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco; Corresponding author.
This work deals with the chemical, physical, thermal and mechanical characterization of andalusite rich schist from Oulmes area (Central Morocco) for potential application in traditional ceramics. A homogeneous powder was sintered up to 1200 °C and was evaluated for their possible ceramic applications. Thermal analysis (TG), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and physical-mechanical analyses (bending strength, water absorption and bulk density) were used to assess the thermal behavior, phase evolution and microstructure of the fired mixtures. The formations of the anorthite and mullite beside andalusite and vitreous phase have improved the final technological specifications required by the European Normative reference (EN 14411) for ceramic products. Our results indicated ceramics belong to the BIII group at 1100 °C and BIIb at 1200 °C which are suitable for the production of cottoforte and majolica materials respectively.
