CHARACTERIZATION AND COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF MONKIN AND KASSA CLAYS FROM TARABA STATE, NIGERIA FOR REFRACTORY AND CERAMIC APPLICATIONS

Abstract

The Characterization of Monkin and Kassa clays from Zing and Yorro Local Government Areas in Taraba State, Nigeria, was investigated to evaluate their potential for refractory and ceramic applications. The clay deposits were analyzed to obtain physical and mineralogical properties for possible industrial application. Samples were fired at temperatures ranging from 1600℃ to obtain modulus of rupture, refractoriness, thermal conductivity, thermal shock resistance, specific gravity, and cold crushing strength. Physical tests revealed that the clays were suitable for refractory applications. The mineralogical analysis shows that kaolinite was dominant in the clay sample, which suggests that it can be used in the bricks and the refractory industries. The results of X-Ray Diffraction analysis revealed that the clay sample obtained from Monkin area was composed mainly of halite, sylvine and sodian. The discovery of halite as the dominant mineral in Monkin clay-based sample M, along with sylvine and sodian, points to a saline depositional environment. The high content of soluble salts in the Monki clay sample limits its industrial utility without beneficiation. This is because halite's dominance in the clay sample deposit is unusual, as clays are typically rich in phyllosilicate minerals like kaolinite, illite, or smectite. The study, however, recommends that the Monkin clay (M), due to its superior mechanical strength (MOR and CCS) and thermal shock resistance, is suitable for the manufacture of refractory bricks, furnace linings, and structural ceramics.