Effect of temperature on the pozzolanic properties of Metakaolin produced from Iraqi kaolin clay

Abstract

Non availability of pulverized fuel ash (PFA), silica fume and other types of high reactivity pozzolanic materials is a potential obstacle in reducing cement content specially in mass concrete mixes. Another option that can be considered is utilization of a super pozzolan called Metakaolin which is produced from conversion kaolin clay available in Dwekhla region in Iraq to Metakaolin. In this work a laboratory investigation were carried out to investigate the optimum calcination temperature and the optimum time of calcination at that calcination temperature required to convert kaolin clay to Metakaolin. The results show that, the optimum calcination temperature was 700C o and the optimum time of calcination at that calcination temperature is one hour