Characterization of Dabagi clay deposit for its ceramics potential

A clay deposit in Gwandu Town of Kebbi State, Nigeria has been evaluated for its potential as industrial raw material. The chemical analysis was carried out using X-ray florescence spectrometery while physical property tests such as porosity, bulk density, linear shrinkage, thermal shock resistance, cold crushing strength and refractoriness were done using standard techniques. The result of chemical analysis indicated that the clay was composed of silica (SiO2), 64.50%; alumina (Al2O3), 16.30%; iron oxide (Fe2O3), 14.20%; calcium oxide (CaO), 0.2%; potassium oxide (K2O), 0.74%; titanium oxide (TiO2), 1.71% and other oxides in traces. The chemical analysis suggests that the clay deposit is mainly made of kaolinite and free quartz. Result of the physical tests shows that the clay has an apparent porosity of 28.46%, bulk density of 1.81 g/cm3, linear shrinkage of 6.80%, thermal shock resistance of seven cycles, loss on ignition test (L.O.I) of 4.46%, cold crushing strength of 14138 Nm-2 and estimated refractoriness of 1349°C.   Key words: Dabagi clay deposit, characterization, x-ray fluorescence and technological tests, Kaolinite, ceramic applications.