Late Cretaceous and Palaeocene clays of the northern Tunisia: potential use for manufacturing clay products

Abstract

Late Cretaceous and Palaeocene clay deposits of the northern Tunisia were studied for potential valorization in clay product manufacturing. To achieve this goal, physicochemical characterization based on multidisciplinary approaches including mineralogy, geochemistry and thermal analyses was carried out. Clay samples collected from the Bir M'Cherga and Tajerouine study sites have undergone chemical analysis by using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The obtained results showed that the studied samples were mainly composed of silica, alumina, calcium and iron oxide. Mineralogical analysis confirmed the results of chemical analysis; it showed the main peaks of quartz, calcite, kaolinite, smectite and illite. Those clay samples were used as natural resources for manufacturing earthenware tiles. Mixtures of clays and dolomites were prepared from the Late Cretaceous and Palaeocene clays and then heated to the desired temperature to obtain different earthenware products. Finally, the prepared clay products were tested via different geotechnical analyses. It was found that the clay percentage needed to be decreased in the starting mixture to enhance the properties of the final products. Those results also indicated that industrial application of both Late Cretaceous and Palaeocene clays of the northern Tunisia could be done, especially for manufacturing clay products.

Characterization, thermal behaviour and firing properties of clay materials from Cap Bon Basin, north-east Tunisia, for ceramic applications

“…corresponding to newly formed phases. Previous work showed that mullite and cristobalite substantially strengthened the mechanical resistance of the fired products (Felhi et al, 2008;Jeridi et al, 2008;Mahmoudi et al, 2008Mahmoudi et al, , 2010Hajjaji et al, 2009;Bennour et al, 2015;Ben M'barek-Jemaï et al, 2015).…”

“…The desired industrial application depends on the physicochemical and mineralogical characteristics and thermal behaviour of the clays. Previous studies have focused on the suitability of Tunisian clays as raw materials for traditional ceramics (Baccour et al, 2008;Felhi et al, 2008;Jeridi et al, 2008;Mahmoudi et al, 2008Mahmoudi et al, , 2010Hajjaji et al, 2009;Ben M'barek-Jemaï et al, 2015;Bennour et al, 2015Bennour et al, , 2018Boussen et al, 2016;Ben M'barek-Jemaï et al, 2017). The thermal behaviour, the firing properties and ceramic applications of some Tunisian clays have also been investigated (Mahmoudi et al, 2010;Bennour et al, 2015).…”

Application of β-Wollastonite on Bulk Density and Ignition Loss of Clay-Based Ceramic Materials

“…For the features of ceramics, clays made of pyrophyllite, talc, kaolinite, and montmorillonite are necessary [9]. Clay minerals are among the maximum ample minerals on Earth and are of substantial interest due to their low cost [10]. Natural clay deposits are the primary source of materials for light structural ceramics with good mechanical qualities including low shrinkage and heat transmission [11].…”

Geotechnical Study of the Aptian Limestone of the Kef Region, Northwestern Tunisia: Evaluation for Industrial Use

“…This area are located between 35˚15' to the south and 36˚8' to the north and meridians 8˚47' to the east and 8˚18' to the west (Figure 1), belongs to the topographic set of Upper Tell [7] marked by a limestone and marl-limestone geological substratum. Despite the number of studies launched in the extreme north Western Tunisia [8] [9], physicochemical and geotechnical characterization of Aptian limestones and their behavior remain unknown. The Aptian limestones…”