article · Clay Minerals
This study conducted an integrated characterisation of clay materials from the Safi basin in North-Western Morocco to assess their suitability for ceramic applications. Ten representative clay samples from two main stratigraphic facies, Brown Clays and Red Sandy Clay layers, underwent mineralogical, geochemical, and geotechnical analyses. The clays were found to be dominated by illite, kaolinite, and quartz, with moderate to high silica and alumina content. Geotechnically, most samples were classified as silty clays with moderate plasticity and low to moderate permeability. The assessment concluded that most of these clay materials are suitable for producing structural ceramic products, including bricks, tiles, and stoneware, although carbonate-rich marl requires specific treatment.
This research identifies and characterises local clay resources in Morocco, providing valuable information for their potential use in manufacturing essential building materials. Efficiently utilising these natural resources can support local industries, reduce dependence on imported materials, and potentially lower construction costs, contributing to regional economic development.
This research provides a scientific basis for the industrial utilisation of Safi clays in Morocco for manufacturing structural ceramic products like bricks, tiles, and stoneware. Potential users include ceramic manufacturers and construction companies seeking local raw materials. The findings suggest these materials are suitable for immediate application in the ceramics industry, though some specific materials may require pre-treatment. This appears to be applied research, near market.
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This study provides an integrated mineralogical, geochemical, and geotechnical characterization of clay materials from the Safi basin (North-Western Morocco) to evaluate their suitability for ceramic applications.Ten representative clay samples collected from the two principal stratigraphic facies, the Brown Clays and the Red Sandy Clay layers, were analyzed using XRD, FTIR, and XRF, alongside grain-size distribution, Atterberg limits, organic matter content, carbonate content, porosity, and permeability measurements.The clays are dominated by illite, kaolinite, and quartz, with variable amounts of chlorite, feldspar, calcite, and dolomite.Geochemically, the samples exhibit moderate to high SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ contents, consistent with illitic-kaolinite compositions.Geotechnical analyses classify most samples as silty clays with moderate plasticity and low to moderate permeability.Ceramic suitability assessment based on standard evaluation diagrams indicates that most clay materials are suitable for the production of structural ceramic products, including bricks, tiles, and stoneware, whereas the carbonate-rich marl requires suitable
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DOI: 10.1180/clm.2026.10060
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