Throughout the world, trends in ceramic manufacturing are closely connected to developments in raw materials. The final quality and price of ceramic products depend not only on the production process but also on raw material quality. Throughout its extensive territory, Argentina possesses abundant raw materials deposits. The Patagonian region, consisting of the Neuquen, Rio Negro, Chubut and Santa Cruz provinces, has kaolin and clay deposits whereas the San Luis and San Juan provinces have deposits of quartz and feldspar. Kaolin and clay deposits respectively were formed by two different processes: in situ alteration of volcanoclastic rocks (residual deposits), and transportation and deposition of previously formed kaolinite (sedimentary deposits). This paper presents a report on the state of raw materials for whitewares production in Argentina, giving production data as well as chemical and geological characteristics.
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