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Effect of volcanic ashes addition on ceramic properties of clayey materials from Koutaba (Western Cameroon)

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Abstract

This study aimed to determine the best composition of ceramic pastes from clays and volcanic ashes mixture. Two samples of clay from Koutaba and one of volcanic ashes from Foumbot (western Cameroon) were collected and physically characterised (granulometry and plasticity). Four formulations were prepared with 60wt% of ball clay; 10, 20, 30 and 40wt% of kaolin; and 30, 20, 10 and 0wt% of volcanic ashes (VAs). Brick samples of 80 × 40 × 15 mm were made and heated at 1050, 1100 and 1150 °C. Physico-mechanical and technological tests were done on fired products. Results showed that ball clays were plastic (Ip = 48.52%) compared to kaolin (Ip = 6.05%). Fired products displayed brown colour, accentuated with temperature and the increase in volcanic ash. Metallic sound was obtained beyond 10wt% VA. With increase in VA, linear shrinkage increased between 1050 and 1100 °C, then decreased between 1100 and 1150 °C. Low shrinkage (< 5%) showed that no correction is needed. With increasing temperature, water absorption decreased while compressive strength increased. Bending strength gave good values (> 36 MPa) beyond 10wt% VA at 1150 °C. Hence, ceramics with 20 and 30wt% VA with heating temperature of 1100 and 1150 °C are suggestible.

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Acknowledgements

This manuscript is a part of the professional Master thesis of the first author. The authors are grateful to the authorities of the Local Materials Promotion Authority (MIPROMALO), Yaounde, Cameroon, for the laboratory facilities. Anonymous reviewers and Chief Editor are warmly thanked for the careful and constructive comments which significantly improved this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Environmental Geology, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Dschang, PO Box 67, Dschang, Cameroon

    Bernard Tassongwa, Rosalie Arlette Mfembena Pouepene, Michel Bertrand Mbog, Jean Victor Kenfack, Armand Kagou Dongmo & Armand Sylvain Ludovic Wouatong

  2. Foumban Institute of Fine Arts, University of Dschang, PO Box 31, Foumban, Cameroon

    André Njoya

Authors
  1. Bernard Tassongwa
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  2. André Njoya
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  3. Rosalie Arlette Mfembena Pouepene
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  4. Michel Bertrand Mbog
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  5. Jean Victor Kenfack
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  6. Armand Kagou Dongmo
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  7. Armand Sylvain Ludovic Wouatong
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Correspondence to Bernard Tassongwa.

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Responsible Editor: Amjad Kallel

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Tassongwa, B., Njoya, A., Pouepene, R.A.M. et al. Effect of volcanic ashes addition on ceramic properties of clayey materials from Koutaba (Western Cameroon). Arab J Geosci 15, 541 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-022-09808-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-022-09808-7

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