CHAPTER 7.2 THERMALLY MODIFIED CLAY MINERALS

Abstract

The structure and composition of clay minerals are modified by heating. The concomitant changes in properties can be exploited for practical purposes. The actual temperatures at which changes occur vary greatly from one clay mineral group to another, and even for different specimens within a given group. These temperatures also depend on the particle size and on the heating regime. Four principal temperature ranges in which significant changes occur in the structures of clay minerals may be distinguished.