INVESTIGATING THE REFRACTORY PROPERTIES OF UGBAWKA CLAY DEPOSIT FOR INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS

Study on the refractory properties of Ugbawka clay deposit for industrial applications has been carried out. Chemical analysis tests were conducted using X-ray fluorescence technique (XRF). The physical properties tests such as shrinkage, porosity, water absorption, modulus of rupture, refractoriness, moisture content, plasticity, thermal shock resistance, cold crushing strength, bulk density, apparent density and modulus of plasticity were carried out using international accepted standard techniques. The results of the chemical analysis showed that the Ugbawka clay has silica SiO2 (51.2%), alumina Al2O3 (28.00%), calcium oxide CaO (2.04%), sodium oxide Na2O (1.85%) and potassium oxide K2O (1.85%) as its predominant oxides. The results of the physical properties tests conducted were shrinkage (7.45%) apparent porosity (20.60%), apparent density (2.53%), bulk density (1.90%), water absorption (17.03%), modulus of rupture (30.90/cm2) and cold crushing strength (310.60KN/m2) at 12000C with an estimated refractoriness of 15700C. The clay therefore could be used for the production of alumino-silicate refractory for lining of furnaces for non-ferrous metals, steel making furnaces, kilns soaking and heat-treatment furnaces