Characterization of some clay deposits in southern zone of Ebonyi state of Nigeria and their potentials for industrial utilization

Characterization of some clay deposits in Southern zone of Ebonyi State of Nigeria were carried out to determine their potentials for industrial applications. Chemical and mineralogical analyses of the clay samples were determined using x-ray florescence spectroscope (XRF) and x-ray diffractometer (XRD) respectively. The characteristics investigated before / after sintered at various temperatures were physical appearance, loss on ignition, plasticity, linear shrinkage, apparent porosity, bulk density, modulus of rupture, water absorption, thermal shock resistance and estimated refractoriness. The results obtained indicated that the clay samples are mostly kaolinitic clay deposits and chemically composed of mainly silica ranging 42.24 % to 61.21% and alumina ranging 15.11 % to 35.41%. The results of chemical and physical characteristics examined confirmed that the clay samples are suitable for industrial applications such as paper, paint, fertilizer, refractory bricks, ceramic tiles, porcelain insulator product e.t.c. Additionally, exploitation of two of the clay samples for porcelain insulator and dense refractory brick signified that excellent qualities of 33KVA porcelain insulators and dense refractory bricks of intercontinental standard can be fashioned locally with 100% local content. However, if these clay deposits can be utilized for industrial applications, it will go a long way in sinking the huge amount depleted in importation of many ceramic products and creating employment opportunity.