ASSESSMENT OF SOME NIGERIAN CLAYS FOR INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS

Abstract

Two Nigerian clays were characterized for various industrial applications. Clay samples from Ameke-Item in Uzoakoli and Akara-Isu in Abia North deposits, both in Abia State, Nigeria were used for the study. The clay samples were analyzed using x-ray diffractometer and x-ray florescence to determine their mineralogical and chemical oxide compositions respectively. They were further processed and subjected to physico-mechanical property tests using ASTM standards. The results obtained show that the minerals in Ameke-Item clay are mainly kaoline and quartz while those found in Akara-Isu are kaoline, quartz and pyrite. The percentage composition of the dominant oxides such alumina, silica and iron oxide for Amaeke-Item clay were28, 51, and 8% respectively while Akara-Isu clay has composition of 30, 50, and 3.8% for the respective oxides. The physico-mechanical tests show that the range of values of (161015700C, 30-29 cycles, 54-45N/mm2, 1.88-1.78g/cm3, 30-22.5%, 6.7-12.66% and 8.5-4.0%) were obtained for refractoriness, thermal shock resistance, modulus of rupture, bulk density, apparent porosity, water absorption and linear shrinkage respectively in the clays. It was found that these properties met industrial standard accepted for the development of industrial products such as glass, electrical porcelain insulator, ceramic wares, floor and wall tiles, building brick and electronic product. Hence, it could be concluded that these clay deposits are suitable for production of such industrial products.