Scientific Quarterly Journal of Geosciences

Scientific Quarterly Journal of Geosciences

Study of mineralogical and physicochemical properties of raw materials in brick production and their changes through final product: A case study of Nasrabad, Gorgan

Document Type : Original Research Paper

Authors
1 Department of Mineral and Ground Water Resources, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
2 Marjan-Kar Production and Trading Company, Golestan, Iran
10.22071/gsj.2025.506659.2181
Abstract
This research was conducted at Marjan-Kar Company to investigate the characteristics of raw materials used in brick production and their transformations during firing. The company's raw materials are sourced from Caspian Alluvial deposits, consisting of clay playa and loess in a 30:70 ratio. Mineralogical studies revealed that the main phases in both clay playa and loess units were similar, with differences in minor phases including hematite in clay playa and dolomite in loess. The clay playa unit was classified as Silty clay, while the loess unit fell into the Silty clay loam category. Higher concentrations of SiO₂, Al₂O₃, and Fe₂O₃ were observed in the clay playa, whereas greater amounts of CaO and LOI were found in the loess, with elevated Na₂O concentrations present in both units. During firing at 950°C, complete calcite decomposition occurred, leading to the formation of new phases such as anorthite, augite, and gehlenite, accompanied by an amorphous phase that plays a crucial role in the mechanical strength of the final product. Results indicated that the 70% loess and 30% clay playa composition is suitable for brick production. However, grain size optimization is essential: adding 7.8 to 14.1 kg of sand per 100 kg raw material brings sand content to the optimal 10-15% range while reducing plasticity index to 16-19%, thereby enhancing product quality without requiring fundamental process changes.
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