Potential use of alluvial clays from Monoun in ceramics by adding feldspar from Batie (West-Cameroon) as a fluxing agent

• Published in: SN applied sciences 2021-12, Vol.3 (12), p.856-10, Article 856
• Main Authors: Kieufack, Gervaise, Bomeni, Isaac Yannick, Ngapgue, François, Tchamba, Arlin Bruno, Mbog, Michel Bertrand, Kouonang, Serge Tchounang, Wouatong, Armand Sylvain Ludovic
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alluvial clays; Alluvial deposits; Aluminum oxide; Anatase; Applied and Technical Physics; Augers; Bayer process; Bricks; Ceramic test; Ceramics; Chemistry/Food Science; Clay; Clay minerals; Compressive strength; Earth Sciences; Electric furnaces; Energy costs; Engineering; Environment; Feldspar; Feldspars; Ferric oxide; Flexural strength; Fluxing; Geochemistry; Gibbsite; Goethite; Gravel; Hematite; Kaolinite; Laboratories; Materials Science; Mechanical properties; Microscopic analysis; Mineralogy; Minerals; Ovens & stoves; Particle size; Phosphorus pentoxide; Physical analysis; Quartz; Raw materials; Review Paper; Sand; Silicon dioxide; Sintering (powder metallurgy); Technological properties; Titanium dioxide
• ISSN: 2523-3963; 2523-3971
• DOI: 10.1007/s42452-021-04837-5

The present study focuses on the use of feldspars from Batie granites (West-Cameroon) as a fluxing agent in ceramic applications, in order to reduce the energy cost of brick manufacture. Three alluvial clays were collected in the field using an auger and the feldspar sample was collected by hammering. Mineralogical, physical and geochemical analysis of alluvial clays samples were carried out, as well as the microscopy analysis of feldspar. The specimen of fired bricks was formulated with different proportions of feldspar (0%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%) and calcined respectively at 750 °C, 850 °C, 950 °C and 1050 °C in an electric furnace. The physical analysis of the clay material showed a well graded granulometry composed of 3% gravel, 10% coarse sand, 23% fine sand, 13% silt and 51% clay. Thin section microscopic analysis revealed essentially perthites. The mineralogical analysis obtained by XRD on total powder shows that the alluvial clays are composed essentially of: 55.8% of total clays; 19.2% quartz; 14.2% goethite; 8.5% K feldspar; 1.2% anatase; 0.7% hematite and 0.4% gibbsite. Geochemical analysis shows that clay material consists of: SiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 , Fe 2 O 3 , TiO 2 , P 2 O 5 , MgO, CaO and K 2 O. The ceramic tests carried out on these bricks showed that their colors were red for all the formulations and temperatures tested. The sound of the bricks is metallic for the formulations of 20 and 25% of feldspar as from 850 °C. The flexural strength (greater than 3 MPa) and compressive strength (10–20 MPa) obtained at 20 and 25% of feldspar meet the standard of traditional ceramics requirements. The bricks obtained at 20 and 25% of feldspar and at a sintering temperature below 850 °C have good technological properties. It was observed that brick formulations with 0% of feldspar fired between 950 and 1000 °C are similar to those of 20 and 25% of feldspar fired at 850 °C). Highlights The alluvial clays from Monoun characterized have highest proportion of kaolinite and good mechanical properties (950 and 1050 °C). Thin section microscopic analysis of Batie feldspar revealed essentially perthites. The brick formulations with 0% of feldspar fired between 950 and 1050 °C are similar to those of 20 and 25% of feldspar fired at 850 °C.