Suitability of Fatha Formation clays for Roofing Tiles from Selected Locations/Salah Al-Din governorate

Abstract

AbstractThe present study deals with the suitability of Fat'ha Formation clays for manufacturing of roofing tiles industryin Al-Ziwiya Area, Salahalddin Governorate/ Northern Iraq through four selected outcrop sections (A, B,C andD). The XRD analysis shows that these clays are mainly composed of clay minerals like: illite, palygorskite,chlorite, kaolinite and montmorillonite, in addition to the non-clay minerals like: quartz, feldspar, calcite,dolomite, hematite, goethite and gypsum.Chemical analysis of the studied outcrops of Fat'ha deposits revealed that they are composed of several oxides.The Results of the physical properties of studied samples, in terms of Grain size analysis shows the types assandy mud, mud and clay and characterized as Plastic, medium plasticity and high plasticity and can be easilyformed and appropriate to the tiles industry, the plasticity increased with clay fraction.120 test tiles size 8 * 4* 1 cm were prepared using the semi-dry pressing method and fired at temperatures 900,1000, and 1050ºC. The physical and mechanical tests for the briquettes (small tiles) were conducted after firingwhich includes: color, linear shrinking, water absorption, water saturation coefficient, efflorescence, andstrength. The results show decreases in the rate of water absorption, water saturation coefficient andefflorescence with increase of temperature. Also the rate of linear shrinking in most of the studied samplesincreases with temperature. The colors of the samples ranged from light brown to pale yellow. The recognizedminerals after firing for the briquettes by XRD showed the presence of new phases and minerals such as:diopside, wollastonite, mullite, forsterite, and anorthite due to the decomposition of essential minerals and manyreactions between the ions.The evaluation tests for the suitability of Fat'ha Formation clays of the studied area for roofing tiles industry arecarried out on the channel sample, which shows that these deposits can be used for this industry of class 2 and 3according to the American Standard (ASTM C-1167-03,2009).