A Comparative Study of the Refractory Properties of Selected Clays in Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria as a nation has appreciable distribution of process industries engaged in the importation of refractory materials, despite the relative abundance of local raw materials needed for the production of these materials. This study present the results of comparative analysis and evaluation of the refractory properties of some selected clay deposits in Niger State, Nigeria with a view of determining its suitability for use as refractory material. Characterization of Maikunkele clay was carried out using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) and published data from previous studies were obtained for Tatiko, Beji and Nyikangbe clay. Result of analysis shows that the clay samples was high silicate clay with moderate alumina content, low ferrous oxide content and possesses very low contents of other metal oxides. The low iron content gives the clay rather whitish appearances establishing its suitability for paint, chalk, and earthenware manufacturing. All the clay samples had refractoriness below 1400 o C except for Maikunkele clay which had an impressive value of 1710 o C making it excellent for ferrous metal handling and furnace wall lining. Its thermal shock resistance also outperformed the others at 28 heating and cooling cycles against less than or equal for Tatiko, Beji and Nyikangbe clays. More so the linear shrinkages were within permissible limits for refractory clays at between 7-10 % even though the value was relatively high for the Maikunkele sample at 9.41%.