Contribution to genesis and technological characterization of clays from Brasilian region of Uberaba, Minas Gerais / Contribuição à gênese e caracterização tecnológica das argilas da região de Uberaba, Minas Gerais

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2007

RESUMO

The main goal of the study of the clays from Uberaba, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, was to contribute to the knowledge of their origin, their mineralogical constitution and their technological applications in refractory products. First two different areas containing refractory clays were identified, one presenting a higher alumina content and the other one presenting a lower alumina content. From the analysis of different document sources such as licensing requests for mining from DNPM; mining plans with maps and croquis from the companies which use these clays; information provided by miners of refractory clays and field investigations, samples were collected in the three basins named Boa Esperança, Caraço and Tijuco. The samples were studied by means of grain sized analyses, optic microscopy of the light and heavy residues, X rays diffraction analysis, differential and thermogravimetric thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopic, chemical analysis and ceramic tests, including flexural strength, water absorption, apparent porosity, in pressed bodies of test, and pyrometric cones and deffloculant consumption. The results of the grain sized analyses suggest, for the three basins, an environment of low energy, with a sedimentation regimen of calm waters, probably flooding plain. The sediments are constituted mainly by caulinita, gibbsite, quartz and more rare mica. The presence of quartz, with low degree of rounding and sphericity suggest the contribution of nearby rocks. The heavy minerals, zircon, tourmaline and rutile, with high degree of sphericity and rounding, seems to indicate that the refractories clays were originated from reworked sedimentary rocks. On the other hand, cyanite (majority), estaurolite and sillimanite, with low degree of sphericity and rounding, evidenciate contribution from metamorphic rocks. From a ceramic point of view, the studied materials may be classified as refractory clays. The ones with higher contents of alumina are indicated for the production of chamottes for silica-alumina and alumina refractory products and are found preferably in the Caraço and Tijuco area. The less aluminous ones may be used as binding clays for chamottes or as components of sanitaryware slip, and are typical in the Boa Esperança area. They may be used in wet processes (slip casting) when the gibbsite content is lower than 14%. The ones with higher contents of alumina, besides the high deffloculant consumption, present a thixotropic behavior in aqueous suspensions. Thus, its use is not recommended for the making of refractory products by slip casting.

ASSUNTO(S)

argilas clays uberaba (mg) uberaba (mg) defloculação de argilas ceramics deffloculation of clays cerâmicas

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