The influence of clay composition and lithology on the industrial potential of earthenware

This paper investigates the influence of clay composition and lithology on the industrial potential of earthenware. The 26 ceramic pastes collected were subjected to particle-size analysis, X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence to investigate their compositions. The shards properties were determined through porosity tests, shrinkage, flexural and compressive strengths. Based on obtained results, all studied ceramic pastes turn out to offer a great potentiality for the earthenware industry despite their varied lithology. Argillite-based pastes exhibit the highest mechanical strengths while colluvium and schist-based pastes exhibit the lowest mechanical strengths. Further, the results have established a reference database for the perpetual restoration work of Marrakech monuments and can help to tracing back the source areas of the archaeological materials of this city.