Production and quality analysis of evaporating dish using local materials

Abstract

Evaporating dish was produced using raw materials such as kaolin, quartz, ball clay and talc that were sourced from Agaie, Kutigi, Kagara and Kadna respectively in Niger state. A control sample was produced using 30% feldspar, 5% quartz, 27% kaolin, 37% plastic clay and 1% talc, while all other samples were formulated by varying the compositions to compare with the control sample. The milled and mixed samples were casted and fired at a temperature of 1250oC. Physical examinations such as linear shrinkage, bulk density, water absorption was carried out on all the samples produced, while mechanical test such as failing load was also carried out on all the samples. The outcome of all the tests shows that the locally manufactured evaporating dish satisfied the qualities required of an evaporating dish for laboratory use.