Physical and Technical Characteristics of Jarash Clay depositsfrom Northern Jordan

Detailed analysis of the physical and technical characteristics of Jarash clay deposits in northern Jordan reveals the strongpotentiality of those deposits from the industrial point of view. The results of this study show the usefulness of those depositsin various industrial sectors, with emphasis on the possible usefulness of the clay in pottery, ceramic tiles, and brick - makingindustries. One hundred and two samples were collected from seven different outcrops for the physical and technical analysis.The results of physical properties after attrition and wet sieving obtained in this study include: whiteness, bulk density, oilabsorption, and specific gravity. Whiteness ranges from (25.4% to 54.9%) with an average value of (40.1%). Bulk densityranges from (0.86 to 1.22 g/cm3) with an average value of (0.99 g/cm3). Oil absorption ranges from (23.25 to 46.5 ml/100gm)with an average value of (33.1 ml/100gm). Specific gravity ranges from (2.02 to 2.7) with an average value of (2.24). the grainsize analyses for the bulk samples range from sandy clay to clayey sand on the Shepard sediment classification ternary diagram.The technical characterization resulting after attrition and wet sieving have also been examined. The plastic limit ranges from(15.9 to 26.3%) with an average value of (10.74%), liquid limit ranges from (34.2 to 71.5%) with an average value of (48.18%),and plasticity index ranges from (18.3 to 45.2%) with an average value of (19.74%).According to the physical, chemical, technical properties, clay identification and the clay workability chart of Jarash claydeposits after attrition and wet sieving, it can be said that Jarash clay deposits are suitable for pottery, ceramic tiles, and thebrick-making industries.