The role of sodium hexametaphosphate in the dissolution process of kaolinite and kaolin

Suspensions of kaolinite and ceramic grade kaolin in sodium hexametaphosphate solutions at different concentrations were prepared and kept at constant temperature for 4 h: the solutions obtained after centrifugation and filtration were analysed using a ICP technique to determine the concentration of significant cations. The results allowed to stress the role of NaHMP in the dissolution process of kaolinite and ceramic grade kaolin. The role of accessory minerals in ceramic grade kaolin dissolution was discussed in the light of the obtained data. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.