ANALYSIS OF THE QUALITY OF RAW MATERIALS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF CERAMICS IN SERBIA

The specific properties of clay as a raw material determine the possibility of application in different types of ceramic products. This paper presents a range of raw materials from Serbia, categorized by their chemical and mineralogical composition, as well as their behavior during baking. The examined clays can be divided into those suitable for producing brick products and the so-called fine ceramics. From each group of clays, one example is presented, and the chemical and mineralogical composition, as well as the behavior during heating (baking), are provided. Special attention is paid to the influence of impurities, such as carbonates, iron oxides, and organic materials, on the final characteristics of the finished products.