INVESTIGATION OF THE POTENTIALS OF JANI AND MALUMFASHI CLAY FOR USE IN METALLURGICAL INDUSTRIES

Abstract

This research investigates the properties of Jani and Malumfashi clays to employ them for large-scale applications in metallurgical industries. The result of the physical properties showed that Jani and Malumfashi clay samples possessed a thermal shrinkage of 21cycle and 24cycle respectively indicating their ability to withstand abrupt temperature changes. Cold crushing strength for Jani is 247.13kg/cm2 while that of Malumfashi is 335.95kg/cm2. Linear shrinkage for Jani is 7.46%, and for Malumfashi is 8.8%. Apparent Porosity for Jani is 23.2% and For Malumfashi is 29.08%. Moreover, the result indicated that Jani clay has a Refractoriness of 1350oC and Malumfashi 1448oC respectively. The modulus of Rapture for Jani is 6.68 kg/cm2 and Malumfashi 8.6 kg/cm2. The orientation of the clay samples was examined using SEM analysis. The XRD analysis, the result showed that the Jani clay sample contains three crystalline phases which include Quartz(71.3)%, Orthoclase(16.8)% and, Kaolinite(11.9)% while Malumfashi contains four crystalline phases including Quartz (63)%, orthoclase (17)%, Kaolinite (8)% and Albite (12)%. The composition of chemical oxides present in the clay samples was studied using the XRF analyzer. The results showed the presence of SiO2, Al2O3, MgO, Fe2O3, and K2O as the major oxides present in both the clay samples while CaO, TiO, and MnO were present in trace amounts. These results conclude that Jani and Malumfashi clay can be applied in metallurgical industries. Improvement of the clay through use of suitable additives or blending, and beneficiation is recommended.