Preparation and characterization of clays from different areas in Ban Bo Suak, Nan province, Thailand

Abstract

© (2015) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland. The scientific process was used to explain characterization and physical properties of the clay sample close to the ancient Nan kiln site. These samples were obtained from JQA, FQB, PQC and NQD. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technique were used to determine the chemical composition and phase transformation before and after fired at 800-1250 °C. XRF result was confirmed that all clay samples mainly contained SiO2 (>80 wt. %) XRD pattern indicated that quartz was the majority of phase in the all of them. High amount of Fe2O3 (>1.6 wt. %) was related to the red-brown tone color. The clay sample could be fired up to 1280 °C without wrapping behavior; it was found that FQB clay had the highest firing resistance due to the maximum quartz content.