Aplicabilidad cerámica de la Formación Carbonero (Aptiense, Zona Subbética, S de la provincia de Jaén)

Resumen

The aim of this work is to evaluate the suitability of the Aptian Carbonero Fm. of the Subbetic Zone to make ceramic materials in the Bailén ceramic industry. Three members of the Carbonero Fm. can be recognised from the lithological point of view: a) marly lower member, b) radiolaritic intermediate member and c) turbiditic upper member. The studied marls are phyllosilicate rich (>48 %, mainly illite and interstratified l/S), although important amounts of calcite have been observed, specially in the lower and intermediate members. The contents in quartz and feldspars are low (<16 %). According to the mineralogical composition, the higher CaO content is observed in the marls from the lower and intermediate members (18-27 %). The lower Ca contents of marls from the upper member are correlated with higher S/'O, (44.5 %) and AI,Oj (14.6 %) contents. Due to the high phyllosilicate and Ca contents of the studied marls, these materials are not suitable for the production of structural ceramic tiles. The use of these materials in the ceramic industry would require mixtures with quartz and feldspars-rich rocks.