Characteristics Of Kaolin From Eastern Kinta Valley And Its Potential For Industrial Uses
Loading...
Date
2018-11-01
Authors
Khong, Ling Han
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
Kaolin is a mineral resource which exhibits highly variable properties when found in
nature due to the differences in geological context at the location they formed. All
kaolin deposit requires a deep study to achieve a better understanding of the
kaolinization process. In this thesis, geology of a newly discovered kaolin from eastern
Kinta Valley, Malaysia were explored through outcrop investigation and geochemical
analyses. The kaolin was also characterized in term of its chemical and mineral
composition, plus the textural, physical, chemical, thermal and ceramic properties to
evaluate its potential for industrial application. Characterized techniques included PSD,
FESEM, S.G., atterberg limits, colour measurement, XRD, FTIR, XRF, DTA/TG and
fired properties (firing shrinkage, water adsorption, modulus of rupture), and the
results were compared to reference sample from an established deposit (Bukit Lampas).
Geological study suggests that the kaolin is derived from hydrothermal alteration of
leucocratic microgranite, and the kaolinized granite consists almost entirely of quartz
and kaolin minerals with extremely low content of alkali and tinaniaferrous bearing
phases. Characterization of the washed clay had found that it is the typical soft kaolin
which may have halloysite substituted for the fine platy kaolin in the clay fraction. The
kaolin has moderate moulding properties but superior optical and refractory properties,
thus ideal for production of whiteware or porcelain which demands extreme brightness
and whiteness. This study presents a new mode of kaolin occurrence in Malaysia with
potential to be developed into a new kaolin mining region.