ENGINEERING CHARACTERIZATION OF OGBEKE CLAY DEPOSIT FOR INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS

The engineering characterization of Ogbeke clay deposit has been investigated with a view of finding its usefulness in furnace refractory production and home. The chemical composition analysis was carried out using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). The physical properties tests such as shrinkage, porosity, water absorption, modulus of rupture, refractoriness, moisture content, plasticity, cold crushing strength, thermal shock resistance and particles size analysis were carried out using international accepted
standard techniques. The results of the chemical analysis showed that the clay is composed of silica SiO2(55.20%), alumina Al2O3 (29.0%), calcium Oxide CaO (2.52%), magnesium oxide MgO (1.60%), sodium oxide Na2O (1.52%) and potassium oxide K2O (1.82%) as its predominant oxides. The results of the physical properties tests conducted at firing temperatures of 9000C, 10000C, 11000C and 12000C respectively were shown as follows: Shrinkage (12.6%), porosity (15.12%), water absorption (5.90%), modulus of rupture (85.40%), apparent density (2.80g/cm3) and cold crushing strength (15.70KN/mm2) at 12000C with an estimated refractoriness of 15700C. The clay deposit therefore, can be used for the production of refractory bricks for lining of furnace for ferrous and non-ferrous metals, kilns, heat treatment furnaces, tiles, and ceramics production etc.