Ceramic with potential application of Kuantan nesosilicate (East Coast of Malaysia) in building construction: Mineralogy and physicochemical composition

Abstract

Our aim is to characterize nesosilicate from the locality of Kuantan situated in East Coast region of Malaysia. X-ray diffraction, chemical composition, particle size distribution, organic matter content and plasticity were investigated in raw nesosilicate materials in order to determine their suitability for building material. Ceramic properties such as bulk density and mineral formations were also investigated by firing specimen at a temperature range 105°C - 1350°C. Andalusite represent dominant mineral phases, in addition to minor quantities of quartz. The physical parameters of the nesosilicate display high amount of silt (78%) with relatively high plasticity index (27%) and low organic matter content (0.36%). The appearance of mullite which favor the densification of the ceramic structures occur at 1350°C.