5/8/2020 Fire Clay Composition & Properties

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Fire Clay Composition & Properties

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For practice the student may take either “ Stourbridge ” or “ Dinas ” reclay and sand. The following
table gives their average composition. The Dinas sand consists almost entirely of SiO2 (free), but in
the Stourbridge clay the SiO2 is mostly combined with Al2O3. The clay is preferable for practice.

For reference regarding the composition of clays, the student may consult Tables of Analyses of
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Clays, etc., by Alfred Crossley. He will there nd tabulated lists of analysis of all the most important
re and other clays, sands, etc.

The Chemical Analysis.—The analysis of reclays much resembles that of silicates (previously
given). For the present the student need only estimate SiO2 (free, combined, and hydrated), Al2O3,
Fe2O3 and H2O. Then if, on summing up results, there remains unestimated more than 3%, he
must proceed further with the analysis.

SiO2 (free, combined, and hydrated).—Estimate the total SiO2, by fusing 1 gm. clay (dried at 100°
C.) with Na2CO3,K2CO3. Fuse for twenty to thirty minutes. Cool and treat as before directed (see
Analysis of Silicates). The result is the total SiO2.

Free SiO2.—Take 1 gram clay dried at 100° C. and digest with H2SO4 (20E.) for about eight hours.
Evaporate to dryness. Cool. Take up with water. Filter. Wash well. The residue consists of free +
combined + hydrated silica + bases (if any). Transfer in small portions to a boiling solution
of Na2CO3, (5E.), ltering now and then so as to replace the Na2CO3. When all the solution has
been transferred to the platinum crucible containing the Na2CO3, continue the boiling, replacing
the Na2CO3 till no reaction is obtained with NH4Cl (see Qualitative Analysis). This treatment
dissolves out combined and hydrated SiO2 and leaves free SiO2. Dry, ignite, and weigh.

Hydrated SiO2.—Treat 5 gms. dried clay with boiling Na2CO3, omitting the H2SO4 digestion. Boil
repeatedly. This dissolves out hydrated silica. Filter, add HCl and evaporate to dryness, and
estimate the SiO2, which is reported as hydrated silica.

Combined SiO2.—Subtract free + hydrate SiO2 from the total 1 residue ’ free + combined + hydrated
SiO2 + bases. The result is combined SiO2 + bases. If the ‘ total residue ’ is greater than the ‘ total
SiO2 ’ previously found, the difference represents the bases along with the combined SiO2.

Water of Hydration.—Take 1 gram of clay dried at 100° C. and ignite at a red heat in a platinum
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crucible over the blowpipe till constant. The loss represents combined water. Al2O3, Fe2O3,
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5/8/2020 Fire Clay Composition & Properties
TORY
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Alkalies, etc. are determined as usual.

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The student will nd, on consulting works of reference, that a good reclay should not contain
more than 2% Fe2O3 and 1% of K2O or Na2O. That the importance of xing such limits may be
brought home to the student, the following ‘ re-tests ’ should be performed :—

Tests concerning the fusibility of Fireclay.—Pass a sample of the dry clay through a 30 sieve. Mix
one-third of the sample with a little water. Dry slowly. Place in a crucible in the wind furnace and
burn at a good red heat. Cool. Crush and pass through the 30 sieve. Now mix one part of the burnt
clay with two parts of the unburnt; add a little water, kneading well. Allow the kneaded mass to
stand over-night. In the morning cut out with a sharp knife small test pieces like a T with the leg 1
cm. long and the cross piece about 2.5 cms. in length; width of face about .3 cm.; depth about 1.2
cm. Also cut small pyramids, square base, and abont 2.5 cms. high. Gently dry these pieces. Lute

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two E crucibles to a half brick (by means of clay). Set the half brick and crucibles on the re bars.
Insert the test pieces and lute on the lids, build up the re. Fire at a red heat and raise the heat to a
whiteness, continuing as closely as possible at this temperature for about two hours, using
anthracite or the hardest coke for ring. Remove, cool, break crucibles, and examine the test pieces
along the edges with a powerful lens. The edges should be sharp and unglazed. Take now three
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lots of the clay. To one lot add 5% Na2CO3, to the second add 5% Fe2O3, and to the third add 5%
CaO. Prepare test pieces. Treat as before, and note the results.

Tests concerning resistance to Corrosion.—An absolute standard cannot be laid down, but a useful
comparison may be obtained by testing the clay against some well known brand such as the “
Battersea.” With the mixture of burnt and unburnt clay, mould small scori ers of approximately the
same shape as the Battersea 5 cm. scori er. Dry carefully, and burn at a good red heat. Place in the
scori ers the following charges: in one 20 gms. PbO, in another 20 gms. granulated copper and 1
gm. borax. Place similar charges in two Battersea scori ers. Transfer the four charges to a muf e
between a red and white heat. (For safety, insert in the muf e a at tile to catch any metal that
may run through.) Continue the fusion till one scori er is perforated. Remove, pour, and examine
for corrosion. Note the results. If time be available, the student may proceed to study the effect of
varying proportions of different impurities on corrosion.

By L D Michaud | February 6th, 2018 | Categories: Various | Comments Off

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