High temperature phase evolution of Bolivian kaolinitic–illitic clays heated to 1250 °C

The thermal behaviour of two types of clays collected from different locations in Bolivia has been studied. The clays contain kaolinite, illite, quartz and small amounts of microcline. The phase evolutions have been characterized from room temperature to 1250 °C. For both clays, kaolinite is completely transformed into metakaolinite when heated up to 650 °C. During further heating to 1050 °C, illite undergoes total dehydroxylation. Mullite is formed in the temperature interval of 1050–1150 °C and its formation rate is dependent on the amount of K and Fe present in the clays. The clay with higher amounts of K (3.2 mass %) and Fe (5.6 mass%) has an onset temperature for sintering at about 900 °C and an onset temperature for liquid formation at 1080 °C. This is about 50 °C lower onset temperature for sintering and 94 °C lower onset temperature for liquid formation when compared with the clay with lower amounts of K (2.3 mass %) and Fe (1.6 mass %).