STRENGTH CHARACTERISTICS OF NIGERIAN QUARTZITIC AND KAOLINITIC CLAYS IN WALL TILE COMPOSITION

Abstract

Clays from four different deposits in Abeokuta, Nigeria (Abiola Way 1 (AW1), Abiola Way 2 (AW2), Asero (AS), Mysis (MY)) have been investigated. Their chemical compositions were determined by Atomic absorption spectroscopy and the most crystalline phases were identified by X-ray diffraction. Wall tile specimens were formulated with clay, wood ash (flux) and quartz (filler). The compositions of the wood ash and quartz were kept constant in the wall tile composition. The results revealed that the  wall tile composition containing higher amount of quartzitic clays, exhibited lower shrinkage, higher water absorption rate while lower strength and the wall tile containing higher amount of kaolinitic clay showed higher shrinkage, higher strength due to better densification and lowest water absorption rate in the temperature range of 1050-1150⁰C.