Study of the ceramic processing of clays from “La Codicia” (Guapi, Colombia) for their potential use in the elaboration of ceramic pieces

Abstract

In this work the characteristics of a clay from the region of Guapi, Cauca, Colombia were determined. Also, a methodology was established to defi ne the conditions to conform ceramic pieces. Chemical structure, characteristic composition and thermal behavior of raw material were determined using X-ray fl uorescence, (FRX), X- ray diffraction (DRX) and thermal gravimetric analysis (ATD/TG), respectively. Different stages of the ceramic processing were studied paying attention to dosage of the ceramic pastes, pressing of the pieces, drying and sintering. Variables controlled were shaping pressure, lost of weight, time of drying, density in green and sintering temperature, among others. To achieve an appropriate drying it was necessary to maintain the samples in a controlled humidity atmosphere during about 7 days. Independent of the composition of the pastes, sintering above 1000 °C was necessary to obtain high density samples considering that at 950 °C des-density of samples was observed probably due to “Ostwald ripening” type phenomenon.

Keywords

• Clays
• characterization
• shaped
• ceramic processing
• drying
• sintering