Exploring the utilization potential of kaolin in the Balıkesir Sındırgı region

Abstract

Natural kaolins may contain some metal cations (K+, Na+, Mg+2, Ca+2) and anions such as carbonate, phosphate, and sulfate as impurities, depending on the formation conditions. The kaolins of Turkiye generally give a high-quality white color after firing due to their low Fe2O3 content. Unfortunately, Turkiye’s kaolin deposits generally contain high levels of SO3. Since the alunite mineral, which is the source of SO3, cannot be removed from the structure by known methods, kaolins containing alunite can only be used in the white cement sector. In this study, the suitability of the kaolins of the Balıkesir Sındırgı region, which has a large part of the kaolin reserves of Turkiye, to the areas of use where kaolin is mostly used in its current state has been investigated, and the samples obtained from the region have been examined in which areas of use they are suitable for use in raw form, and suggestions have been made about the enrichment methods to be carried out by comparing with the studies in the literature.