Assessment of physico-mechanical properties of clay deposits in Asa local government area of Kwara State Nigeria for industrial applications
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Date
2019
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Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ilorin, Nigeria
Abstract
Adequate information about the properties of most available clay materials in Nigeria is necessary to enhance their industrial applications. Availability of this information will adversely reduce importation of refractory materials and its products into the country, since the mineral resources are abundantly available in the country. This study evaluated the chemical and physico-mechanical properties of some selected clay deposits across the three districts of Asa Local Government Area (LGA) of Kwara State to ascertain their suitability for refractory and other industrial applications. The results revealed that the clay samples were mainly alumina-silica based with silica and alumina concentrations of 47.30 – 58.50% and 32.75 – 34.30% respectively. The physico-mechanical properties exhibited by the clay samples included: clay content (33.80-72.20%), linear shrinkage (6.10-9.80%), moisture content (21.00-33.00%), bulk density (1.99 - 2.87 g/cm3), apparent porosity (21.00-37.00%), permeability (73-94), compressive strength (213-840 N/mm2), thermal shock resistance (+29 cycles), specific gravity (2.18-2.52) and refractoriness (>1300oC). The properties were within the required standard values which make the clays suitable for insulating materials, refractories for low-medium thermal applications and
Shuaib-Babata USEP: Journal of Research Information in Civil Engineering, Vol.16, No.2, 2019
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manufacturing of ceramics. Though, Afon, Bakase and Ballah clay samples may require the addition of organic matter to enhance the clays’ suitability for applications that may require a higher value of porosity and permeability and low density. Effective utilization of Asa L.G.A. clays will help to domesticate the production of refractory products and enhance the establishment of Small and Medium Scale Foundry Enterprises in Nigeria in addressing the problem of unemployment
Description
On the evaluation of the quality of the clay samples available in Asa Local Government of Kwara state to enhance its industrial usages to boost the country economically
Keywords
Alumino-silicate, Minerals deposits, Performance, Foundry, Casting
Citation
Shuaib-Babata, Y. L., Nafiu, M. B, Ajao, K. S., Ambali, I. O., Elakhame, Z. U, Busari. Y. O, Hassan, H.K. & Aremu, N. I (2019): Characterization of Belle natural moulding sand for foundry applications. USEP: Journal of Research Information in Civil Engineering. 16 (2); 2657–2678.