| Abstrakt: |
The present article discusses the contrasting characteristics of fireclay from two stratigraphically and geologically different locations of Odisha, eastern India, viz. (i) Talabasta from Cuttack district (FC1) belonging to Upper Gondwana Formation and (ii) Basundhara coal mines (FC2) of Lower Gondwana Formation of Jharsuguda district. The study focuses on micro-morphological, mineralogical, and geochemical characteristics of fireclay from the above locations and compare between them in respect of their refractory applications. The micro-morphological and mineralogical analysis inferred the predominance of quartz, kaolinite in both samples along with minor halloysite, goethite, and ilmenite in their various fractions. Layered hexagonal kaolinite, nanohedral kaolinite aggregates, and cylindrical halloysite are recognized under FESEM in FC1. In contrast, in FC2, the kaolinite is poorly crystallized, appears as anhedral to subhedral grains, or aggregates of very fine clay. The compositional analysis using XRF of bulk and its two size fractions (−75 + 45 and −45 μm) indicates FC1 to be rich in SiO2 and shows relatively less Al2O3, Fe2O3, TiO2, and K2O content than FC2. FTIR pattern, DSC and TGA pattern, and ash fusion temperature between FC1 and FC2 also show some difference. It is surmised that both fireclay samples have desired heat resistance (> 1400 °C) needed for refractory application. However, the AFT of FC1 can be further enhanced by decreasing silica content, and the AFT of FC2 can be improved by reducing Fe content through its proper processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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