Controlled rate thermal analysis of sepiolite

Controlled rate thermal analysis (CRTA) technology offers better resolution and a more detailed interpretation of the decomposition processes of a clay mineral such as sepiolite via approaching equilibrium conditions of decomposition through the elimination of the slow transfer of heat to the sample as a controlling parameter on the process of decomposition. Constant-rate decomposition processes of non-isothermal nature reveal changes in the sepiolite as the sepiolite is converted to an anhydride. In the dynamic experiment two dehydration steps are observed over the similar to 20-170 and 170-350 A degrees C temperature range. In the dynamic experiment three dehydroxylation steps are observed over the temperature ranges 201-337, 337-638 and 638-982 A degrees C. The CRTA technology enables the separation of the thermal decomposition steps.