The region of Pantano Grande, RS, Brazil, is known by the quality of its kaolins. In this region, including the nearby of the cities of Gravataí and Viamão, there is a plastic clay of clear firing color, but with refractory characteristic. The use of this clay is very attractive, since it is difficulty to get plastic clays at convenient distances for the ceramic industry. In this work, it was carried out the technological characterization of this clay. The firing properties have been evaluated for the temperature range 1200 ºC-1400 ºC, including a mixture with a refractory clay and fired at 1300 ºC. It was investigated the firing behavior of mixtures with Na, K, and Ca fluxes, including the analysis of the mechanical strength. In this way, it was performed a complete characterization of the related clay, and highlighted its potential of application.
raw-materials; plastic clay; technical characterization
