CHARACTERIZATION OF THE PHYSIO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF KAOLINITE CLAY BODIES OF AKEREBIATA, ILORIN AND IKERE EKITI, NIGERIA

Abstract

The thrust of this research was to examine the white burning properties of clay deposit from Akerebiata in Ilorin and Ikere Ekiti Kaolin, Nigeria on dinner wares. The chemical compositions of this clay were analysed with the intention of ascertain what was responsible for the white burning characteristics of the clay and the level of impurities present that impact aesthetic qualities on final products. The bulk elemental dominance was analyzed using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF); While X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) was used for the mineralogical analysis of Ikere Kaolin. Results from the X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) of Akerebiata ball clay and Ikere Kaolin showed predominance of Al₂O₃ between the ranges of 21.86 to 36.41 wt. %, SiO₂ between the ranges of 45.85 to 58.69 and Fe₂O₃ between 0.58 to 2.17 wt. %. XRD results of Ikere clay showedthat Kaolinite was present, quartz and Kaolinite as the dominant mineral as the Kaolinite impurity content was minimal as Fe₂O₃, MgO, CaO and K₂O are 0.58%, 0.07%, 0.06% and 0.39% respectively. The low impurity content in the clays was responsible for the white burning property of the fired clay which was characterized by micro-fine particles and light colour.