Abstract-ThisI. INTRODUCTION The up surge application and request for refractory bricks had motivated this research to investigate the raw clay materials used for production of refractory bricks. The raw clay materials were subjected to standard refractory fireclay brick tests requirement through the tests procedures for chemical, thermal, physical and mechanical properties [1]. Clay as a raw material varied considerably in terms of workability, structure, particle-size distribution, plasticity and mineralogical composition. These differences paved way for clays being categorized or classified into plastic clays, flint clays, kaolin clays, fireclays and ball clays [2]. In the refractory industries, they are grouped and referred to as illite, Montmorillonite and kaolinite [3]. Refractories are clay materials that are generally capable of enduring very high temperatures without deformation, structural changes or softening [4]. The type of refractories is determined by the type of refractory requirement for a specific purpose. The types are classified as acid, basic and neutral refractories [5]. Traditionally these clay materials containAl 2 O 3 .SiO 2 .H 2 O to produce alumino-silicates refractory fireclay bricks. They are further classified by temperature. When the temperature is between 1500-1700 0 C, it is branded as refractory e.g. fireclay.The temperaturebetween 1700-2000 0 Cis recognized as high refractory e.g. chromite. When thetemperature is 2000 0 C, it is referred to as super refractory e.g. zircon [5].The applications of refractories are employed in the construction of furnaceslinings, ladles, reactors, ovens and kiln [6]. This disposition proved that the raw clay material is a fireclay and belongs to the alumino-silicate subgroup. The uses for fireclay refractory brick comprise of porous refractory insulation behind furnace linings, refractory fireclay bricks and ladles [7].Refractories are frequently consumed basically in the iron and steel industries [8]. Contamination of refractories clays are usually with limited amount of impurity as contained in the oxides which are CaO, MgO, TiO 2 , Fe 2 O 3 , Mn, SO 3 , ZnO, Cl, K 2 O, P 2 O 5 , Cr 2 O 3 and alkali oxides that acts as fluxing mediator at very high temperature [9]. In the process ofiron and steel production, the use of basic oxygen furnace (BOF) for the molten iron that comes from the blast furnace is decontaminated from the scums.Refractories belonging to silica-alumina have heterogeneous microstructure with bulky grain size and reasonable rate of porosity [10]. In Nigeria, previous investigation work has been done on the characterization of the native refractory raw clay materials for the making of quality refractory fireclay bricks for furnace lining, ladles, ovens and kilns [11]. In many cases, the outcome and results of such previous work were inconclusive and not comprehensive enough to be used or adopted for industrial uses. They were not subjected to standard test requirement for refractory bricks production.The researches for an alterna...

Riyom clay sample was investigated and have porosity of 18.6 %, firing shrinkage of 7.8 %, bulk density 2.2 g/cm3 and cold crushing strength. Chemical composition was analyzed using the XRF. The refractoriness of the fireclay was 1621 °C. The thermal shock resistance was up to 25 cycles. The apparent porosity fell within the standard value of 10-30 % for refractory fireclay bricks. The investigation proved that the Riyom clay deposit belong to the alumino-silicate group of bricks. The clay is therefore, suitable for production of refractory bricks for furnace lining.

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Stoneware especially tableware is manufactured by mixing the clay, quartz and flux such as feldspar. Thus, the aim of this work is to investigate the possibility of two alternative fluxing agents namely; soda-lime-silica glass (SLS), and borax decahydrate (BD) on characterization, and physico-mechanical properties of stoneware to demonstrate its suitability for tableware production. SLS and BD are incorporated into stoneware at the dosage of 5 %, and 10 % by weight, respectively. The sample was performed by uniaxial pressing (40 MPa) sintered at 1000, 1050, 1100, and 1150°C (2 hours soaking time) to establish minimum sintering temperature. Bulk density, water absorption, and modulus of rupture (MOR) were measured for each sample. Characterization of XRF, XRD, and SEM was carried out and discussed. Results indicated SLS, BD showed higher physico-mechanical properties and vitrified at 1050-1100°C, lower than normal temperature applied for stoneware (1150°C). Consequently, it was determined that the usage of SLS and BD as fluxing agent in stoneware is possible.

Stoneware clay includes ball clay in every respect except that do not sintering to a white product. Indeed, stoneware containing soda lime silicate could improve physical and mechanical properties. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate influence of soda lime silicate content on industrial stoneware bodies with different weight percent (wt%) at sintering temperature 950 °C and 1100 °C. Rectangular sample were produced by uniaxial pressing at 40 MPa. Chemical composition was determined by using XRF. The thermal behavior was determined by thermogravimetric and different thermal analysis (TGA-DTA). The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used for microstructure analysis. The water absorption of the sample was determined using Archimedes’ method. The mechanical strength of stoneware bodies is important for many type applications and can be determined by measuring flexural strength (MOR). The water absorption decreased with optimum weight percent (wt%) of soda lime silicate into industrial stoneware bodies. The experimental result showed that desirable properties of stoneware bodies can be achieved with 5 wt% of soda lime silicate. As conclusion, optimum 5 wt% of soda lime silicate will influence physical and mechanical properties of industrial stoneware bodies.