Firing temperature algorithm on the physiochemical properties of Ishiagu clay deposit for refractory application

This study investigated the chemical and physical characteristics of clay samples from Ebonyi State in Nigeria with a view to determining them for refractory application. The chemical analysis of the clay showed silica (48.3%) and alumina (21.7%) as the main constituents while other metal oxides such as Fe2O3 (6.8%), Na2O (2.9%), K2O (2.7%), MgO (1.2%), CaO (0.9%) and MnO (0.3%) are present in minute quantities. As the firing temperature increased from 900 to 1200C, the analysis varied from 2.98 to 10.56 for linear shrinkage, 34.01 to 27.02% for apparent porosity, 2.52 to 2.37g/cm apparent density and 1.66 to 1.73g/cm bulk. The clay showed low plasticity with a modulus of plasticity of 1.21, making moisture of 24.84 and had a refractoriness of up to 1200C. From the result of this study, it is shown that Ishiagu clay has good refractory and industrial potentials and can be used in the manufacture of refractory bricks, tiles, high melting clay, ceramics and colour vase but requires the addition of other materials to achieve the desired properties.