Mineralogical and geotechnical characterization of clays from Northern Morocco for their potential use in ceramic industry

This study focuses on the mineralogical and geotechnical characterization of Northern Morocco clays (i.e., from Tangier and Tetouan areas) and further comparison with main clay ores used in national ceramic (i.e., from Meknes, Fes, Salé and Safi regions). Sampled clays were analyzed by X-ray diffraction on bulk and clay (< 2 µm) fractions to identify the mineralogical assemblages of the clay outcrops. Further analyses were conducted to determine the particle size distribution (laser diffraction particle analyser), the total organic matter content (from LossOnIgnition measurements) and the Atterberg limits of the raw clays. The aims of this study were first to investigate the spatial variability of the clay samples and second to evaluate their potential application as raw materials in ceramic industry.
Tetouan and Tangier clays are characterized by diversified mineralogical assemblages (in particular a variable proportion of clay, quartz and calcite) in regard with Meknes, Fes, Salé and Safi clays (high clay content, quartz and calcite). The clay fraction of Tetouan and Tangier samples is dominated by illite and kaolinite with variable contribution of chlorite, smectite and/or vermiculite. Illite is the dominant phase in Meknes, Fes, Safi and Salé clays, but is associated with kaolinite. There is no direct relationship between the mineral assemblage composition and the lithology of the series.
The studied clays materials consist generally in fine particles with medium to high plasticity and low organic matter content. Taking into account mineralogy, grain-size distribution and plasticity those clays seem to be suitable as raw material for the growing Morocco ceramic industry.