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Kansas Geological Survey, Bulletin 194, pt. 1, originally published in 1969

Thermal Expansion of Kansas Volcanic Ash

by Maynard P. Bauleke and John M. Huh

Cover of the book; beige paper with black text.

Originally published in 1969 as part of "Short Papers on Research in 1968," Kansas Geological Survey Bulletin 194, part 1, p. 15-16. This is, in general, the original text as published. The information has not been updated.

Abstract

Thermal expansion values of Kansas volcanic ash range from 4.05 to 4.6 × 10-6/C° (100-650°C), varying with chemical composition. The softening point is above 900°C.

Substitution of volcanic ash for other silicate fluxes in a ceramic body lowers the thermal expansion of the body, often to such an extent that a new glaze has to be prepared to prevent crazing. For a more knowledgeable approach to the use of volcanic ash in bodies and glazes, the thermal expansion of three volcanic ashes were measured: two samples of Pearlette ash of Pleistocene age (MEV-5 from Meade County and JV-6 from Jewell County) and the Calvert ash of Pliocene age (NNV-1 from Norton County). Chemical analyses are given in Table 1.

Thermal expansion test bars were prepared as follows:

  1. Press moistened ash into a 2 1/2-inch diameter disk, 1/4-inch thick.
  2. Sinter at 1500°F.
  3. Cut 1/4 inch × 1/4 inch × 2 inch bars from the disks.
  4. Fire to 2000°F.
  5. Grind ends and sides parallel.
  6. Measure thermal expansion using a quartz rod dilatometer as described by Bauleke and Edmonds (1968).

Table 1--Chemical analyses.

  MEV-5, Meade County JV-6, Jewell County NNV-1, Norton County
SiO2 72.40 73.32 76.68
Al2O3 11.45 10.76 9.77
Fe2O3 1.70 1.66 1.44
TiO2 0.31 1.36 0.51
CaO 0.76 0.53 1.45
MgO 0.31 0.23 0.27
K2O 8.17 7.57 6.86
Na2O
L.O.I. 4.90 3.93 3.02
L.O.I. = Loss on ignition.

Thermal expansion curves are shown in Figure 1. From the curves the following observations can be made: (1) Thermal expansion is linear between 100 and 650°C, ranging from 4.05 to 4.65 × 10-6; (2) above 650° there is an increase in the rate of thermal expansion; (3) the softening point of volcanic ash glass is above 900°C as indicated by the reversal of the expansion curve; and (4) chemical composition controls the thermal expansion, but which oxide is the more important cannot be deduced from these measurements, as there undoubtedly is an interaction. One could say that the thermal expansion decreases with increasing silica content, increases with increasing alumina content, or increases with increasing alkali oxide content.

Figure 1--Linear thermal expansion curves for three samples of volcanic ash from Kansas. MEV-5 is from Meade County; JV-6 is from Jewell County; NNV-1 is from Norton County.

Percent thermal expansion vs. Temperature in degrees C.

Reference

Bauleke, M. P., and Edmonds, C. S., 1968, Thermal expansion of siliceous Kansas clays (Dakota Formation): Kansas Geol. Survey Bull. 191, pt. 1, p. 13-15.

Kansas Geological Survey, Short Papers on Research in 1968
Placed on web July 26, 2011; originally published in Feb. 1969.
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