How valuable is my raw material? – Assessment options

The term ‘valuable’ describes, on the one hand, the material value in terms of price. On the other hand, it refers to the usefulness of the raw material in terms of its usability. In the brick industry, the quality of the clay significantly determines the quality of the end products. The requirements for clay depend primarily on the respective manufacturing process and the desired properties of the products to be manufactured. Accordingly, there are different values. For evaluation purposes, at least the chemical and mineralogical composition and the particle size distribution of the raw material must be determined. These characteristic values have a significant influence on important technological parameters and product properties such as plasticity, dry shrinkage, firing shrinkage, water absorption and firing colour. More precise results can be obtained through application-oriented ceramic technology investigations and the determination of characteristic physical parameters. Thermal analysis methods such as dilatometry and differential thermal analysis/thermogravimetry can also be helpful for evaluation.