Characterization and Qualitative Analysis of Some Nigerian Clay Deposits for Rafractory Applications

Abstract

The characterization of some Nigerian clay deposits has been carried out by employing fourdifferent characterization techniques.The relative proportions of the constituent compounds, the morphology and the phase identification of the different clays were determined by using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD)and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)analyses. The clays obtained from the various deposits were prepared for the analyses, using the standard procedure and the results obtained were compared to confirm the consistency and reliability of the different methods employed. The results obtained revealed the various desirable (S i O 2 and Al 2 O 3 ) and deleterious (Fe 2 O 3, K 2 O and MgO) compounds contained in the clay samples, in the various proportions. The appropriate purification technique necessary for preparing the clays for refractory applications were therefore identified.