Suitability of Foumban Clays (West Cameroon) for Production of Bricks and Tiles

Particle size analysis, Atterberg limits, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence and firing tests were used to determine physico-chemical, mineralogical and technological characteristics of residual lateritic (K1M, Ma2) and alluvial (KB3, KG3) clays from Foumban (West-Cameroon). For technological properties, the samples were pressed and fired over a temperature range of 900&degC - 1200&degC to determine the open porosity, linear shrinkage, bulk density and compressive strength. Kaolinite (31% - 65%) and quartz (35% - 50%) are dominant in Foumban clays with accessory K-feldspar, plagioclase, illite, smectite, rutile, and goethite. But their proportion changes from one sample to another, having a significant effect on the behaviour of the clay materials: highest proportion of quartz (50%) in sample K1M;relative high feldspars (20%) and illite contents (10%) in KB3 and MA2;high smectite content in KG3 (up to 20%). Chemical analyses indicate high SiO2 (49% - 77%) and low Al2O3 (14% - 23%) contents in the four samples, with comparatively low contents of iron oxides (4% - 7% in samples KB3 and KG3, 2.5% in MA2 and ~1.5% in sample K1M). The particle size distribution of the alluvial clays (KG3 and KB3) differs considerably: 7% to 37% of clay fraction, 20% to 78% of silt, and 15% to 58% of sand, while residual clays (K1M and MA2) present on average 12% of clay, 51% of silt and 37% of sand. Two raw clays (KB3 and MA2) can be used for bricks/tiles production without beneficiation or addition. K1M requires some flux addition to decrease the sintering temperature while KG3 presents poor properties due to the combined occurrence of smectite and a high clayey fraction (37%). Such mineralogical composition is responsible for very high plasticity (PI: 50), high shrinkage (LS: 5% - 16%), low porosity (OP: up to 21%) and high flexural strength (FS: 16 - 23 N/mm2) above 1050&degC. This last clay is therefore less appropriate for bricks and roofing tiles production since degreasers must be added to the raw material.

Incorporation of Clay into Natural Rubber (Hevea) for the Production of Tile Adhesive

Natural rubber latex is the white liquid in the form of the colloidal dispersion of rubber globules suspended in the aqueous liquid. Produced in large quantities in Ivory Coast, the local transformation of natural latex has so far remained insignificant, although some attempts have been made to use it in the manufacture of flexible facade briquettes for rounded walls. Thus, this study aims to incorporate clay as a filler in natural latex for use as an adhesive for tile installation. To do this, different proportions of clay paste were added to the natural latex and the resulting mixtures were used to make the sample and tile adhesive. From the analysis of the results obtained, it appears that the samples with a clay paste density of 0.8 and 1 absorb less water and shows good pull-out strength. The mixtures of 30% and 35% latex and 0.8 and 1 clay paste density respectively have pullout stresses greater than 1 N/mm2. According to NF EN 1348, these adhesives can therefore be used as tile adhesive.

Characterization and Evaluation of the Potential Uses of Mouyondzi Clay

The overall goal of this study is to characterize and to evaluate the potential uses of clay mined in the Nzaou locality. The Mou sample is argillaceous texture and medium plasticity (Ip = 28.9). Kaolinite is dominant clay species (44.41%). It is associated with illite (9%). Quartz and rutile are the main non clay minerals. The CEC is 8.66 cmol+/kg. Organic matter is low (0.839%). Total shrinkage obtained by dilatometry at 1200&degC is 9.26%. The chemical and mineralogical compositions have allowed using the ternary diagrams of Fabbri and Fiori that the MOU clay is favorable for glazed white stoneware (GWS) and for the production of clinker (KLK). Dondi typologies of ceramic tiles according to body color (mostly depending on the iron oxide content) and compactness (expressed by water absorption) have confirmed the use for the manufacture of the GWS and clinker. Classification always according to Dondi taking into account the rate of kaolinite, the fine fraction (&degC will be vitrified. Flexural strength at 1200&degC (16 MPa) does not correspond to the requirements of GWS or a clinker.

Environmental Distribution of Clay Minerals in North West Subiyah Area, Kuwait: Compositional Variation and Application

The main objective of this paper is to study the mineralogical composition and the environmental conditions of the Subiyah clay to be used for crafting pottery and technological behaviour that allows the evaluation of the applicability of the clay deposits in manufacturing new ceramic products at Kuwait. This research could help artists, crafters of potters, and ceramic manufactures in Kuwait to depend on inland clay and this makes it easier for more production in ceramic and pottery in the future. All this could enhance the cultural of ceramic in teaching or producing it in Kuwaitfor the first time. For that purpose, six stations were selected at North-eastern part (Subiyah area) of Kuwait for clay investigation. X-ray Diffraction method (XRD) was led to identify mineralogical composition of samples;S1, S2, S3, S4A, S4B, and S6 were quartz, Calcite (Caco3), Dolomite, Illite and Clinochlore. Whereas;Quartz, Calcite Dolomite, Palygorskite, Nontronite and Clinochlore were recorded at S5 and S7. Clay mineralogical and environmental studies at our study area proved that, crafter can depend on Subiyah clay better than importing it from abroad.