Shale

Chemistry

SiO2	58.000
TiO2	0.650
Al2O3	15.500
Fe2O3	4.000
FeO	2.500
MgO	2.500
CaO	3.000
Na2O	1.300
K2O	3.200
BaO	0.050
PbO	0.200

Volatiles

H2O	5.000
CO2	2.600
SO3	0.500
C	0.800

Miscellaneous

Family: Clay Other
Region: None
Mined At: Unspecified
Raw Mineral: Yes
Generic: No

Notes

Geologists (and mineralogists) characterize shales primarily by their physical properties, and there are many types that vary greatly (e.g. in hardness). Shales contain many minerals (i.e. limestone, quartz, feldspars, iron compounds, Illite, etc.) and the identity of these minerals often determines the suitability of a shale for a ceramic purpose. Shale particles normally do not fuse until at least cone 03+ (1080c) depending on the iron oxide content.

Shales can make up a very high proportion of the body for structural products. High shale mixes for vitrified pipe and roofing can be formed by extrusion with little shrinkage. Since shales can contain significant iron they can fire to varying shades of red. Shale bodies can be fired quite dense (less than 3% percent porosity) and retain reasonable stability in the kiln. When ground fine enough some shales can exhibit a clay-like plasticity and even need to be treated with care to avoid a laminations and drying cracks.

The analysis shown here is an average we found in the Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, however there are many shales that are also low in iron.

Authors

Tony Hansen (Owner)

XML

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<material name="Shale" descrip="" generic="0" rawmineral="1" searchkey="" loi="0.00">
<families>
<family name="Clay Other"/>
</families>
<oxides>
<oxide symbol="BaO" name="Barium Oxide, Baria" status="" percent="0.050" tolerance=""/>
<oxide symbol="CaO" name="Calcium Oxide, Calcia" status="" percent="3.000" tolerance=""/>
<oxide symbol="MgO" name="Magnesium Oxide, Magnesia" status="" percent="2.500" tolerance=""/>
<oxide symbol="K2O" name="Potassium Oxide" status="" percent="3.200" tolerance=""/>
<oxide symbol="Na2O" name="Sodium Oxide, Soda" status="" percent="1.300" tolerance=""/>
<oxide symbol="PbO" name="Lead Oxide" status="" percent="0.200" tolerance=""/>
<oxide symbol="TiO2" name="Titanium Dioxide, Titania" status="" percent="0.650" tolerance=""/>
<oxide symbol="Al2O3" name="Aluminum Oxide, Alumina" status="" percent="15.500" tolerance=""/>
<oxide symbol="SiO2" name="Silicon Dioxide, Silica" status="" percent="58.000" tolerance=""/>
<oxide symbol="Fe2O3" name="Iron Oxide, Ferric Oxide" status="" percent="4.000" tolerance=""/>
<oxide symbol="FeO" name="Ferrous Oxide" status="" percent="2.500" tolerance=""/>
</oxides>
<volatiles>
<volatile symbol="" name="" percent="5.000" tolerance=""/>
<volatile symbol="" name="" percent="2.600" tolerance=""/>
<volatile symbol="" name="" percent="0.500" tolerance=""/>
<volatile symbol="" name="" percent="0.800" tolerance=""/>
</volatiles>
<notes>
<note>Geologists (and mineralogists) characterize shales primarily by their physical properties, and there are many types that vary greatly (e.g. in hardness). Shales contain many minerals (i.e. limestone, quartz, feldspars, iron compounds, Illite, etc.) and the identity of these minerals often determines the suitability of a shale for a ceramic purpose. Shale particles normally do not fuse until at least cone 03+ (1080c) depending on the iron oxide content.<br />
<br />
Shales can make up a very high proportion of the body for structural products. High shale mixes for vitrified pipe and roofing can be formed by extrusion with little shrinkage. Since shales can contain significant iron they can fire to varying shades of red. Shale bodies can be fired quite dense (less than 3% percent porosity) and retain reasonable stability in the kiln. When ground fine enough some shales can exhibit a clay-like plasticity and even need to be treated with care to avoid a laminations and drying cracks.<br />
<br />
The analysis shown here is an average we found in the Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, however there are many shales that are also low in iron.</note>
</notes>
</material>

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