Suitability of Owoh Clay for the Production of Ceramics and Other Industrial Products

The suitability of Owoh clay for the production of ceramics and other industrial products has
been successfully carried out. The chemical analysis was carried out using X-ray fluorescence
(XRD) technique. Particle size analysis was conducted using electric size shakers. Other
physical properties tested were conducted using international accepted standard. The results of
the chemical analysis conducted showed that the clay has Al2O3 (29.04%) and SiO2 (50.60%) as
its predominant oxides with Cr2O3 (0.0144 and Ga2O3 (0.0099%) as its minor oxides. The
physical properties test conducted at firing temperatures of 9000C, 10000C, 11000C and 12000C
respectively showed that the properties has: shrinkage (9.00%) apparent porosity (21.16%) bulk
density (2.40g/cm3), water absorption (15.60%) modulus of rupture (23.13Kg/cm2) and
refractoriness of 16620C. Since the aluminum content of Owoh clay is within the standard range
recommended for ceramics and refractory bricks, therefore the clay is recommended for the
production of ceramics and other high temperature refractory materials like refractory bricks for
lining of furnaces for ferrous and non-ferrous metals; tiles, heat treatment furnaces. As a result
of its high content of iron oxide the clay has a reddish colour and could be used for red paint
production.