Developments in industrial mineralogy: I. The mineralogy of brick-making

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Abstract
SUMMARY: Fuels, metals and non-metallic rocks and minerals have all contributed to the wealth of the United Kingdom, though in different proportions during different periods of history. Statistical returns show the very low level of metal production, and a waning production and value of all types of fuel at the present time. Only the exploitation of industrial rocks and minerals shows continuous growth. The transformation of clay to bricks is used to show how the application of “pure” mineralogical techniques can describe and explain the changes on firing, and lead to improved industrial firing procedures. Chemical and mineralogical analyses of brick-clays demonstrate a wide range of composition, with quartz and smectite decreasing with age and illite and chlorite increasing. Bricks reflect this variation in the mineral assemblages found after firing. The effect of the length of the firing cycle on the final mineral assemblage is discussed using pure kaolinite as an example.