Physicochemical characterization of the clays used in the preparation of ceramic pastesfor the production of batches of brick type H-10 in the company Ladrillera Valledupar S.A.S. (Colombia)

Abstract

In the company Ladrillera de Valledupar S.A.S., located in VeredaEl Cielo, south east of the municipality of Valledupar, department of Cesar (Colombia), there are colluvial (Q-ca), alluvial and alluvial plain (Q-al) deposits of Quaternary age, consisting of sands, silts and clays. This research aims, physicochemicallycharacterize and quantify the clays used in the preparation of ceramic pastes to determine new ceramic mixtures in the production of batches of type H-10 brick in the company Ladrillera Valledupar S.A.S., based on the information obtained through the different scientific databases and the Servicio Geológico Colombiano, a field campaign was carried out, mapping the study area; in addition, six (6) apiques were made, three(3) samples were collected and reserve calculation. To the samples (A2-C1 Clay (N) Black, A4-C1 Clay (T) Earth and A1-C3 Clay (P) Brown) were applied X-ray fluorescence tests (XRF-XRF). The physical properties were evaluated with the Attenberg plasticity index, using a Casagrande casserole, kit to determine the liquid limit and tests of resistance to compression and water absorption (NTC 4205-2 / 2009, NTC 4017/2018). It was determined that black and brown clays show similar elemental chemical compositions in the compounds SiO2, AlO2 and FeO2, which are predominant, as well as KO2, MgO, CaO,Na2O and TiO2 do not together exceed 10% in brown clay and 8% in black clay respectively, also have average% water absorption from 9.882 to 12.23 and average resistance to compression from 1.748 to 2.334 Kgf / cm2 as a whole do not exceed 10% for brown clay and 8% for black clay respectively. The M3 ceramic mixture (50% Black Clay and 50% Brown Clay), is the most appropriate to implement a new ceramic paste for the manufacture of ceramic products in the company Ladrillera Valledupar S.A.S., due to the factthat they comply with the guidelines of NTC 4017/2018 (methods for sampling and testing of Masonry units and other ceramic products -second update) and NTC 4205-2 / 2009 (fired clay masonry units. Ceramic bricks and blocks Part 2: non-structural masonry).