Associated minerals and their influence on the optical properties of Jordanian kaolin

Abstract EN

Kaolin samples from Al-Disi kaolin deposits in southeastern region of Jordan are associated with mineral impurities, which impart color to this kaolin and adversely affect its application in paper and paint industries.

The associated mineral impurities with kaolin were separated by deflocculating of kaolin particles in polymeric sodium polyphosphate solution.

The crude kaolin, deflocculated kaolin (suspended kaolin), and the associated mineral impurities with kaolin (residue) were determined by X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy, and spectroscopic studies.

The composition of the residue separated from Al-Disi kaolin composed mainly from quartz, feldspar, and hematite.

The separation of these associated mineral impurities from al-Disi kaolin by deflocculating process improves the brightness of kaolin to be suitable for processing to produce kaolin that meets specifications for paper making, filler, cosmetics and other uses that demand high whiteness and low impurity content.