Physico-chemical characterizations of Ethiopian Kaolin for industrial applications: Case study WDP propoxur formulations

Abstract

This research aims to investigate chemical, physical, mineralogical and optical properties of Ethiopian kaolin with mechanical, wet beneficiation, chemical modification and thermal treatment (calculations) for their appropriateness of industrial application. The effect of beneficiation and calculation methods of treatment on the structure of kaolin was studied using complete chemical analysis (AAS), X-ray diffraction, Fourier transforms infrared spec-trometer analysis (FTIR) and Thermal analysis comparatively with the reference kaolin were studied. Complete silicate analysis showed that the Fe2O3 and TiO2 were reduced via beneficiation and beneficiation with surfactant from 1.908% to 0.201% and 0.87% to 0.056%, respectively. Physico-chemical characterizations, thermal analysis effect of calculations results show that improvement to a very high grade with a chemical composition close to that of ideal kaolin. Beneficiation with a surfactant, followed by calcination at 850 °C, showed a further decrease in Fe2O3 and TiO2 impurities. XRD results revealed that all characteristics reflection of kaolin and quartz were showed as major peaks upon calculations and as well as the reference kaolin. The basic properties for industrial grade specification significantly increased after a certain treatment in comparison with reference (imported) kaolin.