LAUSR

Abstract Due to the high number of mineralogical phases present in clayey ceramics (crystalline and non-crystalline), the characterization of the mineralogical phases of clayey ceramics is complex, being necessary the development of a methodology adequate to the needs of the system, which allows the isolated identification of each phase. The aim of this study was to characterize the mineralogical phases of clayey ceramics containing manganese ore tailings using electronic quantitative mineralogy as the main tool. Four clayey ceramics samples sintered at 950 °C were used in this study. The samples were characterized based on the composition of manganese tailings: without the addition of tailings (RM 0%), and with the addition of manganese tailings in varying compositions (RM 2.5%, RM 5%, and RM 10%). The samples were characterized using an automated mineralogical system known as TIMA-MIRA. The composed of a TESCAN Integrated Mineral Analyzer (TIMA). The system was equipped with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) with field emission electron gun coupled with two characteristic X-ray energy scattering detectors. This system consists of a TESCAN Integrated Mineral Analyzer (TIMA), equipped with a SEM with field emission electron gun coupled with two characteristic X-ray energy scattering detectors, which is commercially known as MIRA. X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence were used for the calibration of the results. The EQM results revealed that the RM 0% sample was mostly composed by kaolinite and quartz. While the other samples (RM 2.5%, RM 5%, and RM 10%) were mostly composed of kaolinite, quartz, and orthoclase. The EQM proved to be a complete and unified tool for the characterization of the mineralogical phases of clayey ceramics which could contribute significantly to the optimization of the processing routes of clayey ceramics and also to enable the use of tailings for the production of eco-friendly clayey ceramics.