Characterization and use of raw materials from Burkina Faso in porcelain formulations

Abstract

The use of three mineral materials from Burkina Faso in the formulation of porcelains has been studied. The characterization results showed that the clay NONG contains kaolinite (62%), illite (18%), quartz (17%) and rutile (1%). The pegmatite PEG contains albite (17%), muscovite (44%) and quartz (34%). The sand SAB is mainly composed of quartz. Some samples were shaped by casting into porous molds and sintered at temperatures ranging from 1200 ​°C to 1300 ​°C. Characterization of the specimens sintered at 1250 ​°C evidenced interesting results: a density ranging from 2.3 to 2.5; a water absorption below 0.5%; an open porosity of less than 1%; a flexural strength above 35 ​MPa. Consequently, materials fired above this temperature are closely related to the porcelain group.