Engineering Characterization of Agbani Clay Deposit as Refractory Material for Furnace Lining

The engineering characterization of Agbani clay deposits has been investigated with a view of finding its usefulness in the engineering industry and home. The chemical analysis was carried out using X-ray fluorescence (XRF). Physical properties tests such as apparent density, apparent porosity, water absorption, shrinkage, modulus of rupture, bulk density, moisture content, conductivity, thermal shock resistance and specific gravity were all carried out using international accepted standard techniques. The result of the chemical analyzing showed that the clay has Al2O3 (25.20%), SiO2 (53.41%), K2O (2.06%), CaO (1.20%), TiO2 (0.06%), V2O3 (0.15%), MnO (0.43%) Fe2O3 (2.10%) and CuO (0.01%), HgO (0.05%) as trace. The results of the physical properties tests conducted at a firing temperature of 9000C, 9500C, 10000C, 10500C and 11000C respectively revealed that the clay has: apparent density (2.50g/cm3 ), apparent porosity (25.30%), water absorption (9.05%), shrinkage (15.76%), modulus of rupture (29.40kg/cm3 ) and bulk density (g/cm3 ) at firing temperature of 11000C with estimated refractories of 16590C. The clay deposits can be used in different industries for the production of heat treatment furnaces, tiles, ceramic wares, refractory bricks.