Investigation on potential of Jeli clay to be commercialized as pottery products by considering the elemental and phases analyses.

Pottery in Malaysia is being known for its utilized functions and unique properties. Clays as the pottery's raw materials are a major factor that affecting the quality and reliability of any pottery products. This thesis presents the elements and phase analyses of pottery products for studying and reference areas. Besides product characterisation such shrinkage test, density test, and impact test were done to determine the best clay for pottery products. Density set and Charpy impact test were used for product characterisation. The Observations on clays' elements and phases using XRD and XRF are very helpful for productions of the good pottery. Hence, the elements and phase structures of clays are discussed. Basically, the most elements found in clays are Si, Al, Fe, Ti, K, Mg, Mn and Ca. Depends on location, the concentrations of those clay elements differ. The percentages of elements in clays do not only determine the clays characteristics, but also influence the physical, mechanical and chemical properties of the end product. Increase of major element like silica raises the melting point, lowers the fluidity, and enhances the hardness and tensile strength. Meanwhile, the increase alumina content enables the green body to withstand the sintering temperature and also increase the hardness of the pottery. Based on the result, the best clay from study area is SJ2TS. This clay is high in density, low in shrinkage percentage and excellent in mechanical strength compare to other clays collected from Jeli area.