INVESTIGATING THE STRENGTH AND POROSITY CHARACTERISTICS OF SOME FIRED CLAYS IN EDO AND DELTA STATES

*S.A. Agbalajobi¹ and I.S. Omoijuanfo²

²Department of Mines, Federal Ministry of Power and Steel, Abuja, Nigeria

Email: wisdammy@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Investigation aimed at determining the strength and porosity characteristics of some fired clays in Edo and Delta States was carried out. Eighteen different clay samples were taken from six locations in both states. Three samples were taken from each location, analyzed and the result averaged. The six locations were Afuge/Ojavu, Usen/Arhenwen, Uguoriahi/Ovbere in Edo State and Ozarra/Ewebi, Ozalla/Ezeko and Iguoriakhi/Ogbomoba in Delta and Edo State. The clay samples were mixed repeatedly, quartered and analyzed to test their porosities and fired strength characteristics, using American Standard Thermal Analysis Method at the Soil Science Test Laboratory of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The results of the analysis showed that clay deposits in Afuze/Ojavu, Usen/Arhenwen, and Uguoriakhi/Ovbere in Edo State are good for brick works. They have low porosities ranging from 0.95% to 24.31% and high fired strength. On the other hand, clay deposit from Ozarra/Ewebi, Ozalla/Ezeko and Iguroriakhi/Ogbomoba in both Edo and Delta State are good for pottery. They have high porosities ranging from 13.0% to 38.74% and low fired strength.

Key Word: Clay, refractory, porosity, pottery, fired strength, temperature