THE EFFECT OF PARTICLE SIZE AND PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION ON THE MODULUS OF RUPTURE OF SOME SOUTH EAST NIGERIA CLAYS
Osonwa Nobert Okey 1, Nwabineli E.O2, Ekwueme Ekenna3, Ogbn Charles Collins4, Alegu Ferdinand Nnanna F.5
1,2 Department of Ceramic and Glass Technology
- Department of Building Technology
4,5 Department of Metallurgical Engineering
Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic Unwana Afikpo, Ebonyi State
Email: nobertosonwa@yahoo.com
Abstract
The modulus of rupture of three clay samples were investigated to determine the effect of particle size distribution on them. The samples were collected from natural deposits at Nsu-Ehime; Ohia- Umuahia and Awo- Omamma, all in south eastern Nigeria. The particle size distribution of the clays were determined by laser diffraction technique. Thermo physical and thermo-mechanical parameters of the clays were also tested. Comparison of the modulus of rapture of the three clay samples with their particle size distributions revealed that a high proportion of the larger sized particles, (21 µm-51µm) will lower the modulus of rupture of the clay. Awo-Omamma clay contains 16.14% of these size fractions. Nsu and Ohia clays contain 4.05% and 6.65% of these size fractions respectively. Correspondingly, Nsu clay has better modulus of rupture results than Ohia clay and Awo-Omamma clay. Nsu clay and Ohia clay will perform well in most structural and technical ceramic applications. Awo-Omamma clay would require proper blending with other ingredients to produce a similar performance.
Keywords: Clay, Particle Size, Porosity, Bulk Density, Modulus of Rupture, Volume Mean Diameter (VMD), Laser Diffraction, Sieve Aperture, Shrinkage, Thermo-Physical, Thermo-Mechanical.