Suitability of Illite Based Clays of Latvia for Chemical and Thermal Activation

Materials has been synthesized in the temperature range from 600-800 0C from illite based clays of Latvia under activation of KOH and NaOH solutions (4-6 M). Compressive strength and apparent porosity were measured. The effect of the concentration of KOH and NaOH solutions on the material mechanical properties was investigated by means of infrared spectroscopy (IR). Compressive strength data of the materials showed that via such activation building materials with good quality can be obtained.