Characterization and Potential Suitability of Some Egyptian Clays for Ceramic Building Applications

Authors

• Marwa Askar, Ain Shams University, Faculty of Education, Department of Biology and Geology, 1134, Cairo, Egypt
• Medhat Sobhy El-Mahllawy, Housing and Building National Research Center (HBRC), Dokki, Giza, EgyptFollow
• Mohamed Hamed Abdel-Aal, Ain Shams University, Faculty of Education, Department of Biology and Geology, 1134, Cairo, EgyptFollow
• Ali Mohamed Ali Abd-Allah, Ain Shams University, Faculty of Science, Department of Geology, 1651, Cairo, EgyptFollow
• Safia Gaber Al Menoufy, Ain Shams University, Faculty of Education, Department of Biology and Geology, 1134, Cairo, EgyptFollow

Abstract

This study investigates the suitability of five Egyptian clay deposits—Wadi El-Natrun, Qasr El-Sagha, Kafr Homied, Fayed, and Suez Road—for ceramic building applications. Representative samples were characterized chemically and mineralogically, with grain size distribution and Atterberg limits determined to assess their industrial potential. Mineralogical analysis identified montmorillonite, illite, and kaolinite as the dominant clay minerals. Grain size and plasticity data, plotted on industrial diagrams, revealed that all samples are highly plastic clays with elevated clay fractions and minimal sand content. Such properties, while beneficial for molding, require modification to reduce excessive plasticity. The addition of non-plastic materials is recommended to enhance workability and product quality. Among the studied deposits, clay from Kafr Homied exhibited molding characteristics within the permissible range for pottery production. Moreover, extrusion processing was found feasible for broader ceramic applications. These findings highlight the potential of Egyptian clays as valuable raw materials for the ceramic industry, provided that appropriate adjustments are made to optimize their performance. The chemical composition of the studied clay samples in oxides form and their loss on and the examined clay samples (WN, QS, KH, FA and SU) show that they are mainly composed of SiO₂, Al₂O₃, and Fe₂O₃, with weak amounts of calcium (except KH), magnesium, sodium, potassium, and titanium oxides suggesting mirror accessory minerals, The SiO₂ content is relatively high (46.9–50.9%), indicating the dominance of quartz and silicate minerals. Al₂O₃ is moderate (8.8–11.6%), reflecting the existence of alumino-silicate clay minerals such as kaolinite, illite, and montmorillonite, which improves cohesiveness and thermal stability. Fe₂O₃ values (9.6–11.6%) showing a significant number of iron-bearing phases like hematite or goethite, which enhances density and compressive strength, The contents of CaO (0.5–6.6%), suggesting low to moderate range, It reduces firing shrinkage and cracks and increases mechanical resistance, K2O was present in all sample (1.0–1.3%) indicates the presence of illite mineral.

Keywords

Clay, XRD, XRF, Atterberg limits, Ceramic, Bricks

Recommended Citation

Askar, Marwa; El-Mahllawy, Medhat Sobhy; Abdel-Aal, Mohamed Hamed; Abd-Allah, Ali Mohamed Ali; and Menoufy, Safia Gaber Al (2026) "Characterization and Potential Suitability of Some Egyptian Clays for Ceramic Building Applications," HBRC Journal: Vol. 22: Iss. 1, Article 42.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.65800/2090-9934.1041
Available at: https://journal.hbrc.edu.eg/journal/vol22/iss1/42