Abstract
Two residual clay deposits and one transported clay deposit in Ijesha-Ijebu area were investigated for their mineralogical, chemical and industrial properties. The investigation was to evaluate their industrial applications and economic importance. The mineralogy of the clay samples was determined using X-ray Diffraction (XRD). The chemical composition of the clay samples was determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS). Physical tests which include; thermal properties, plasticity tests, density measurement, linear shrinkage and water absorption capacity were determined to determine their industrial potentials. The clay within the weathered profiles above banded gneiss and pegmatite at Ijesha-Ijebu is brownish with red spots, while the clays derived from sedimentary terrain is chocolate in colour. The X-ray diffraction results showed that kaolinite is the dominant mineral, while quartz, albite and muscovite are the major non clay minerals. Chemical data showed that the values of SiO2, Al2O3 and Fe2O3 are 66.11%, 20.53% and 3.07%, respectively in weathered banded gneiss, in sedimentary the values of SiO2, Al2O3 and Fe2O3 are 42.12%, 34.43% and 7.37%. In weathered pegmatite, the values of SiO2, Al2O3 and Fe2O3 are 53.17%, 32.7%, 1.44%, respectively. The average percentage of clay in the banded gneiss, pegmatite and sedimentary samples are 50%, 56% and 47% respectively. The clay mouldability ranged between moderate to high. Evaluation of the clay properties and characteristics shows the industrial application of the clay like production of ceramic, building bricks and other structural wares.
 Keywords: Clay, Mineralogy, Chemistry, Ceramics, Building bricks.
Highlights
The use of clay in pottery making antedates recorded human history, and pottery remains provide a record of past civilizations
The residual clay derived from banded gneiss and pegmatite together with the sedimentary clay in the study area cannot be used for the production of paint because their silica content does not meet the specification for paint production
For the production of refractory bricks, clay derived from weathered banded gneiss and weathered pegmatite can be used for it because the silica content falls within the specification of Refractory bricks
Summary
The use of clay in pottery making antedates recorded human history, and pottery remains provide a record of past civilizations. Impure clays may be used to make bricks, tile, and the cruder types of pottery while china clay is required for the finer grades of ceramic materials. Another major use of clay is as paper coating and filler; it gives the paper a gloss and increases the opacity. Refractory materials, including fire brick, chemical ware, and melting pots for glass, make use of kaolin together with other materials that increase resistance to heat. Fuller’s earth clays have long been used in wool scouring, and rubber compounding, the addition of clay increases resistance to wear and helps eliminate molding troubles
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