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Potential use of raw clayey deposits from El Jadida, Morocco, in the manufacture of traditional ceramic products has been evaluated through a careful sampling and an in-depth characterization of the outcropping features around Ouled Sidi Ali Ben Youssef area (El Jadida city). We collected six representative clay-rich materials (C1–C6) for subsequent analyses by several spectroscopic and mineralogical techniques including physico-chemical, mineralogical, and thermal analyses. Our results revealed high amounts of oxides, mainly SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, CaO and MgO. Those ferruginous clays were found suitable for dark ceramic bodies. Further mineralogical examination confirmed low to medium contents of clay minerals, but subordinated by quartz, calcite, dolomite and plagioclase as the main nonclay minerals. Ternary diagram plots indicated that the studied clays were suitable for structural clay products and clay roofing tiles. C5 sample exhibited the best physico-chemical and mineralogical properties due to its illitic nature (64%), low quartz content (28%), high plasticity index (32) and lower loss on ignition (10.84%). Therefore, C5 clayey sample was selected as a potential candidate to be mixed with expanded perlite (EP) for the production of insulating ceramics. Specimen were prepared from the new mixture (i.e., C5 and EP) by pressing and firing at 1100 °C. The obtained ceramic bodies were ascertained by addressing their bulk density, water absorption, shrinkage, bending strength, thermal conductivity, structural and mineralogical properties.

This work is based on the valorization and characterization of Moroccan geomaterials (MG) in the ceramic field. The raw materials (Kaolinitic clay of Oulmes: (KC); Red clay of Safi: (SC); Marl of Fez: (FM); Andalusite rich Schists of Oulmes: (AS); Magnesite of Boudkek: (Mag)) have been selected and characterized in terms of chemical, mineralogical composition, and thermal behavior wherein performed. The sintered ceramics (up to 1400 °C) resulted from these natural substances were tested mainly by physical, mechanical, and synthesized phase composition, as well as microstructural analysis, to determine their characteristics. As a result, the ceramic materials based on mullite and periclase have been obtained and confirmed by the X-ray diffraction and the scanning electron microscopy.

International audience; The study describes the potential use of dolomite MgCa(CO3)2 and magnesite MgCO3 carbonates micro-particles to enhance the thermal properties of bio-based polyamide 11 (PA11). These two micro-particle fillers were first carefully analyzed in terms of composition (XRD, XRF, and FTIR), microstructure (SEM) and thermal behavior (TDA/TGA). The incorporation of these mineral fillers to PA11 by extrusion using a coupling agent conducted to an increase in thermal stability compared to the neat matrix based on TGA measurements. SEM investigations revealed that the micro-particles were well distributed and dispersed within PA11, and a good interfacial adhesion with the polymer matrix was also noted. Dolomite and magnesite were successfully used to increase the thermal stability of bio-based PA11. Nevertheless, magnesite was proved to have a higher interaction with the PA11 matrix compared to dolomite by increasing its crystallization temperature based on DSC measurements and further increasing thermal stability for a low filler content.

Lizardite rich peridotite has never been used to prepare ceramic specimens, especially in Morocco. For this raison, potential use of naturally abundant lazirditic material from the Rif domain, as a supply for ceramic industry, has been evaluated. The effects of lizardite addition to magnesite and dolomite mixtures on the thermomechanical properties of the calcined ceramics were also detailed. To achieve this target, natural lizardite, magnesite and dolomite samples were collected in ultrabasic Beni Bousra massif. Those raw samples were used for the synthesis of a forsterite-monticellite rich ceramics. Both raw and sintered samples were characterized by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope and fourier transform infrared. The obtained results showed that both magnesite and dolomite were mainly composed of MgCO3 and CaCO3. In contrast, lizardite sample showed high amounts of SiO2, MgO and Fe2O3. An increased amount of lizardite in the initial mixtures enhanced mechanical and dimensional properties of the prepared ceramic specimens, and subsequently, the production of ceramics with the required technological properties. Thus, the preparation of Moroccan lizardite-based ceramics is technically feasible, economically justifiable and socially desirable due to the contribution to the economic growth of the raw materials sector, especially ceramic industry.

Processing of magnesia based ceramic by unidirectional dry pressing from Moroccan magnesite is described. The applied magnesite was characterized in terms of its composition, granulometric analysis, surface specific area, and thermal behavior. After appropriate processing, the prepared specimens were fired at various temperatures up to 1350 °C to study the ceramic properties. The ceramic material resulted after firing was investigated regarding the phases composition, structural characteristics, and physical properties of technological interest. On this way, the production of materials having interesting properties such as shrinkage, porosity, density, flexural strength, toughness, dielectric constant, and thermal conductivity is achieved. An X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed that the ceramic sample is composed of periclase as major phase and monticellite and calcium alumino-ferrite as minor phases. The content of amorphous phase that governs the sample properties varies between 26.5 and 31%. Thermal shock tests realized in water showed that the ceramic sample presents good thermal shock resistance. The results revealed that Moroccan magnesite has qualities necessary for the manufacture of ceramic products.

This paper mainly focuses on the preparation of new low-cost ceramic microfiltration membrane made from natural magnesite. Firstly, local Moroccan magnesite was deeply characterized in order to understand its chemical and mineralogical composition, and its thermal behavior. It was confirmed that used natural magnesite exhibits high purity degree in terms of magnesite mineral. Next, flat magnesite membrane was fabricated via uniaxial pressing and sintering methods. The effect of sintering in the range 900−1200 °C on morphology, porosity, pore size, permeability and mechanical strength was investigated. Based on experimental results, the optimized membrane (sintered at 1100 °C) has a porosity of 48.15 %, a pore size of 1.12 μm, a water permeability of 922 L h−1 m-2 bar-1 and a mechanical strength of 6.1 MPa. Finally, the optimized magnesite membrane was subjected to filtration of industrial textile wastewater in order to evaluation its performance as microfiltration membrane. Importantly, experimental results are clearly demonstrated that magnesite membrane effectively clarifies textile wastewater. It was showed that turbidity and chemical oxygen demand removals could achieve 99.9 and 69.7 %, respectively.