Developing Recipe from Local Ceramic Raw Materials for Making Crucibles in Ghana

Abstract

The study experimented with using local ceramic raw materials (white clay, kaolin and silica or quartz) found in AssinFosu in the Central Region of Ghana to manufacture crucibles for melting metals and other precious minerals. Various physical tests were conducted on the materials to arrive at the body compositions. The compositions were also investigated for their elemental components by using X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The results revealed that the composition of Cru c containing 70% of white clay, 20% of kaolin, 8% of quartz and 2% of white grog; sintered at 1500˚C was very successful and therefore used to develop the recipe to manufacture the proposed crucibles. The "throwing" technique was employed to fabricate the crucibles. Test for thermal expansion was conducted for the manufactured crucibles at 1000˚C for thermal shock and microcracking tests. It was found out among others, that the recipe developed had very good physical and chemical properties of alumina silicate refractory materials and was fit for use at any high-temperature application. The study also recommended among others, that the researchers and institutions responsible for clay research such as Ghana Geological Survey Authority (GGSA) and Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) collaborate to improve upon this innovative idea.