Characterization of clay deposits of Nanga-Eboko (central Cameroon): suitability for the production of building materials

Abstract

Clayey deposits of Nanga-Eboko (central Cameroon) were studied to assess their potential as building materials. Characterization was performed using XRD, FTIR, XRF, DTA/DTG and firing testing. Clays appear as discontinuous pockets with the same textural characteristics in three villages located on both sides of the Sanaga River. The average thickness of the exploitable layer is about 3m. The estimated tonnage ∼7–17×105 m3 can supply a brick industry of great importance. SiO2 (∼70%), Al2O3 (∼15%) and Fe2O3 (∼4%) are the predominant oxides of the natural clays. Quartz (∼55%), kaolinite (∼33%), illite (∼5%) and K-feldspar (∼4%) are major minerals. Clays are not suitable for building construction due to their fine-grained size and high plasticity properties. Firing properties of bricks (950 and 1050°C) are good despite the high shrinkage values. Therefore the addition of “degreasers” is recommended to control shaping and drying.

Characterization of kaolin from Mankon, northwest Cameroon

“…A metallic sound was noted at temperatures >1100°C in APalt, indicating the beginning of the glassy phases and mullite development. A ceramic material with good performance is characterized by a metallic sound (Nzeukou et al , 2013). As the firing temperature increases, the sound of the specimens becomes metallic.…”

Mineralogical, physico-chemical and ceramic properties of clay materials from Sekandé and Gashiga (North, Cameroon) and their suitability in earthenware production

“…In Cameroon, the valorization of clay materials in the domain of earthenware is of growing interest. Currently, the industrial use of clays is increasing in brickworks and tile mills ( Djangang et al., 2007 ; Elimbi et al., 2011 ; Ngon et al., 2009 ; Nzeugang et al., 2013 ; Touogam Touolak and Tchangnwa Nya, 2014 ; Fadil-Djenabou et al., 2015 ; Temga et al., 2015 ; Ndjigui et al., 2016 ). These studies carried out in Cameroon belong essentially to the warm and humid tropical zone of the country.…”

Physico-chemical and mineralogical characterization of clay materials suitable for production of stabilized compressed earth blocks

“…Clay materials for application in construction of modern buildings have been mostly studied for production of fired products such as tiles and bricks [1][2][3][4][5]. The firing process is energy consuming and therefore not environmental-friendly, resulting in relative increase of the cost and embodied energy of the products [6][7][8].…”