INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING, SCIENCE AND - Volume 4, Issue 2 , June 2015

Pages: 96-104
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CHARACTERIZATION OF UGWU-ABORI CLAY DEPOSIT FOR INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL USES

Author: Agbo, Alfred Ogbodo Ede, Sunday Ejiofor Nwogbu, Celestiine Chidi

Category: Engineering, Science and Mathematics

Abstract:

Ugwu-Abori clay deposits in Ugwogo Nike Enugu State Nigeria has been characterized for its industrial and commercial uses. The chemical analysis was carried out using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). Particle size analysis and other physical properties tests such as shrinkage, porosity, modulus of rupture, moisture content, refractoriness, plasticity, water-absorption, thermal shock resistance and cold crushing strength were carried out using international accepted standard techniques. The results of the chemical analysis showed that the clay has SiO₂ (60%), and Al₂O₃ (25%) as its predominant oxides with PbO₂ (0.99%) and Na₂O (1.09%) as minor oxides. The physical properties tests conducted at firing temperatures of 900⁰C, 1000⁰C, 1100⁰C and 1200⁰C respectively showed that shrinkage has (13.92%), porosity has (25.10), bulk density has (2.18g/cm³), refractoriness has (1580^oC), apparent density has (2.58g/cm³) and cold crushing strength has (14.36KN/mm²) at firing temperature of 1200⁰C. The clay deposits therefore can be used for the production of ceramics refractory bricks for lining of furnaces for ferrous and non-ferrous metals.

Keywords: Characterization, Ugwu-Abori, Clay Deposit, Industrial and Commercial Uses