Study of Clay Sites by the Method of PhysicoChemical and Thermal Characterisation of Clays: Case of the DIBANG -CAMEROON Site

The objective of this work is the identification of a natural clay from the Central Cameroon region: "Dibang". We made a descent in the locality. We extracted the clay then made an artisanal and effective mechanical treatment before subjecting it to physical, chemical then thermal characterizations in accordance with the various standards. The result of the mechanical treatment allowed us to have pure clay. The results of the physical characterizations gave a density between 1,21 and 2,09 g/cm3, a water content of 48,25% and a porosity of 54,49%; the TG and DSC curves showed the presence of Kaolinite, Quartz and illite in important proportion affirming that this clay is of the silty type with a strong rate of silts. The FTIR showed the presence of -Si groups of silicon, -C-O of amorphous silicas, indicating that it has a majority of three (3) oxides namely silica (SiO2), alumina (Al2O3) and hydrogen nitrates (NH2). These results affirm that this clay can be used as a binder in the construction of buildings and also for coatings. Finally, the results of physical analysis such as plasticity, thermal analysis and chemical analysis, reassure the ideal advantages of Dibang clay in the production of tiles and stabilized fired bricks because it has a good thermal stability at low temperature, which proves a good stability to degradation.