Physico-Chemical Properties of Kaolin Clay from Madhabpur,Habiganj District, Bangladesh for Industrial Potential

Abstract

This study has been carried out to characterize selected kaolin deposits in the Madhabpur area of Habiganj and evaluate the potential for industrial applications. The physico-chemical characteristics were determined using X-ray fluorescence, Grain size analysis, Atterberg limit test, pH, bulk density, moisture content and organic matter test to assess the industrial usage. The results of granulometric analysis show that the studied raw materials contain clay (24% - 51%) as major grain size followed by silt (26% - 45%) and sand (6% - 50%). The studied clays have medium to high plasticity with plasticity index values ranging from 9.78% to 42.41% and are also characterized by liquid limit of 35.18 % - 76.91%, and plastic limit of 19.82% - 43.53%. Moisture content, bulk density, pH and organic matter content of the kaolin clay range from 10.65 to 20.45%, 1.32 to 1.58%, 4.40 to 5.56 and 2.0 to 5.5% respectively. Geochemically, these clay materials are more siliceous (SiO2, 45.30-55.14%) with significant amount of aluminum (Al₂O₃, 23.07%-30.00%) followed by iron oxides (Fe₂O₃, 4.29%-10.10%) and other oxides (K₂O, MgO, TiO₂, Na₂O, MnO, CaO and P₂O₅) are in relatively lower proportion. Geochemical characterization revealed the SiO₂/Al₂O₃ and Al₂O₃/TiO₂ values denote the clay type of kaolinite family and source materials are mainly felsic rocks respectively. Results of physiochemical properties of the analyzed kaolin samples interpret, that the kaolin deposits in Madhabpur area is moderate to good grade and have a great potentiality for industrial applications. Consequently, compared with some industrial standards, these data indicate the kaolin deposits may be useful for ceramics and refractory bricks.