Assessment of Clayey Raw Materials from the Argillic Alteration Zones from Sappes Area, Thrace, Northern Greece in Ceramic Production

Abstract

Samples were collected from the argillic alteration zones in Sappes area, Thrace, Northern Greece and were examined for their mineralogical composition. Results showed that the sericite zone is the most widespread type of alteration in the studied area, followed by the transitional sericite–kaolinite zone and finally the pyrophyllite-rich zone. After determination of the spatial distribution of the different argillic alteration zones, selected samples were examined for their technological ceramic properties in order to evaluate their use in ceramic production. Preliminary results showed that after beneficiation processes, the clayey raw material from the alteration zones could be used in the ceramic industry.

Keywords

• argillic alteration zones
• ceramic properties
• sericite
• kaolinite
• pyrophyllite