Thermal transformations of tile clay before and after kaolin addition

The use of clays for ceramic filter processing may reduce its cost, leading to different applications, as water treatment. In this work, a low cost tile clay mixed with kaolin, for use in ceramic filters, were evaluated. Mineralogical and thermal changes Occurring during sintering were characterized by differential thermal analysis, thermogravimetry, thermomechanical analysis and X-ray diffraction. An increase in the initial melting temperature of samples due to kaolin addition was observed. Mullite formation in kaolin was observed by DTA and in other samples by XRD. TMA analysis permitted the observation of pre-sintering step, around 850degreesC. This step is difficult to observe in other types of analysis.