Abstract
This work aims at studying the solid phase composition and chemical constitution of some mineralogical raw materials widespread in Gholaa and Osfan regions, Khulais Governorate, in the western area of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Ten samples were investigated through their phase composition using X-ray diffraction (XRD). Four of which were selected for further investigations. The quantitative phase compositions of the selected samples were calculated from XRD data. Their chemical constitutions were determined using x-ray fluorescence technique (XRF). The microstructure of one selected sample was depicted using scanning electron microscope attached with EDAX unit to analyze elementary some selected crystals. Most of the investigated samples composed mainly of albite mineral (NaAlSiO3) and they are suitable for glass ceramic industries. One sample contains considerable contents of quartz (SiO2) and kaolinite (Al2O3 center dot 2SiO(2).2H(2)O) in addition to albite; it is suitable for the cement, brick and ceramic industry. Some minerals were present in varying amounts in the samples namely; chlorite (Mg6Si.,1010(OH)(8)), chamo site (Fe3Si2O5 (OH)(4)), chabazite (CaSrAl silicate), biotite (H-4 K2Mg6Al2Si6O2), microcline (KA1Si(3)O(8)), montimorillonite (Mg.Al2O3.5 SiO2 center dot xH(2)O), hematite (Fe2O3) tremolite (Nao11 Cat(.69)Mg(4.6)Fe(0.48)A(10.29)Si(7.82)O(22) (OE1)(2)), kaolinite (Al2Si2O5(OH)(4)) and anatase (TiO2). Based on their chemical and mineralogical compositions the raw materials are suitable for various chemical, mineralogical, and engineering applications.