ALUMINOSILICATE RAW MATERIALS OF THE STATE OF ERITREA FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SILICATE MATERIALS

This study evaluates the chemical, mineralogical and morphological characteristics of aluminosilicate raw materials selected from the territory of the State of Eritrea in the context of assessing its suitability for the production of autoclave silicate products. Clay rocks are moderately plastic. The predominant oxides of clay rocks in the Debub and Maakel areas are SiO2 and Al2O3. Laterite is characterized by a high content of Fe2O3, amounting to 48.40 wt. %. Quartz and kaolinite are the predominant minerals of these rocks. Volcanic ash consists mainly of an amorphous phase and feldspar. The SiO2 content is 68.83 wt. %. An assessment of the chemical composition of clay rocks using the Augustinik diagram showed that the clay of the Debub region and volcanic ash are characterized by an Al2O3/SiO2 ratio of less than 0.2, which determines their suitability for the production of autoclave silicate materials. Laterite is not suitable for the production of silicate materials due to the high Al2O3/SiO2 ratio of 0.32, however, this parameter can be reduced if volcanic ash is additionally used as a raw material. The sand of the Debub deposit is suitable for the production of silicate materials. Large reserves of clay rocks, volcanic ash and sand, their chemical, mineral and dispersed composition make it possible to use them as raw materials for the production of silicate materials of hydrothermal hardening. The high content of iron compounds in laterite will make it possible to obtain materials with increased radiation protection properties.