Characterization of Natural Clay Vermiculite, Expanded by Indirect Method for Energy and Microwave

Abstract

Vermiculite has a structure consisting of layered silicates surfaces interspersed with layers of water. When the expansion occurs intra lamellar clay water is removed. This paper aims to characterize the Vermiculite clay of Santa Luzia, Paraíba (Brazil) in their natural form, and after thermogravimetric treatments by classic X-ray diffraction analysis, thermal analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The results show that the method of expansion, using the technique of microwave energy is possible, however, the expansion factor is lower when compared to the indirect heating by the thermal expansion of the clay.