Improvement on Some Physical Properties of Selected Nigerian Clay

Abstract

In metallurgical industries the quality of refractory clay depends largely on the physical properties of clay and proper selection of clay affect these physical properties which include Porosities, Compressive strength, Linear shrinkage, Thermal shock resistance, and refractoriness. This gives need on the improvement on some physical properties of selected Nigerian clays. Clay collected from Bida, Chanchaga, Kpakungu and Maikunkele areas of Niger State were analysed to determine the chemical composition of the clays samples and raw clay were beneficiated and mixed with additives which include ash of Sawdust, Ricehusk and Cornhusk in a ratio of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 & 30% weight to produce clay bars which were subjected to tests to determine the effect of the additives on the physical properties of the clay samples. The result revealed Bida clay increase in porosity from 16.64% to 35%, Chanchaga clay increase in porosity from 9.98% to 38.38%, Kpakungu clay increase in porosity from 8.12% to 33.37% and Maikunkele clay increase in porosity from 10.50% to 35%. Compressive strength of the clay samples were reduced Bida clay reduced in compressive strength from 51.58N/m2 to 8.63N/m2, Chanchaga clay reduced in compressive strength from 65.85%N/m2 to 29.11N/m2, Kpakungu clay reduced in compressive strength from 63.59N/m2 to 20.55N/m2, Maikunkele clay samples reduced in compressive strength from 59.06N/m2 to 18.52N/m2. The refractory temperature of Bida, Chanchaga, Kpakungu and Maikunkele clay samples were increased from 1410°C to 1480°C, 1580°C to 1620°C, 1550°C to 1570°C and 1650°C to 1690°C at 5%wt of additives.