DEVELOPMENT OF PORCELAIN BALUSTERS FROM LOCAL CERAMIC RAW MATERIALS IN SOUTH EASTERN NIGERIA

Osonwa Nobert Okechinyere¹, Nwabineli Emmanuel Onochie², Ekwueme Ekenna³, Nneka Eke Inya-Njoku⁴&Abe Oluwakayode Boluwaji⁵

^{1,2,4, 5,}Department of Ceramic and Glass Technology

³Department of Building Technology,

Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic Unwana Afikpo Ebonyi State Nigeria.

Email: nobertosonwa @yahoo.com     

Abstract

The Nigerian economy continues to reel from the effects of excessive importation of finished goods, including ceramic products. This is in spite of the abundance of high grade ceramic raw materials across the country. Three casting slip batches were produced from Nsu clay and Otammiri river sand, both sourced from Imo state in south eastern Nigeria, as well as sodium feldspar, also sourced locally. Batch A contained 45% of nsu clay, 40% of sodium feldspar and 15% of river sand. Batch B contained 50% of clay, 45% of sodium feldspar and 5% of river sand. Batch C contained 50% of clay, 40% of sodium feldspar and 10% of river sand. The three slip batches were used to cast balusters as well as test pieces in a plaster of paris mold. The balusters and test pieces were dried and bisque fired up to 1280^oC in an electric kiln. The balusters produced from batch B developed some cracks, especially at the base, after firing. The test pieces were subjected to cold compressive strength test. Sample A had a compressive strength of 140.9MPa, sample B had a compressive strength of 180Mpa, while sample C had a compressive strength of 169.7MPa. It is recommended to incorporate grog additives in slip samples produced from these raw materials to improve shrinkage behavior.