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Physico-chemical, mineralogical characterization, and ceramic properties of clay materials from South Mindif (Far North, Cameroon)

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Abstract

Characterization studies of clays are generally carried out to identify possible applications of these materials. This paper describes the physico-chemical, mineralogical, and thermal characterization of residual clays from Mindif commune in Cameroon's Far North Region (Doyang, Mendeo, Mobono, Hoppo, Mindif Center, Tchouake, and Gagadje). Ten samples were taken and studied in the laboratory. The methods used in this work were X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), infrared spectrometry (IR), thermogravimetric analysis (DTA/TG), particle size analysis by sedimentometry, Atterberg limits, and physical and firing properties at 900 °C, 1000 °C, and 1100 °C. It appears that the particle size distribution is dominated by sand (25–74%), clay (10–48%), and silt (6–27%). They mostly correspond to sandy clay soils (blue values: 1.5–5), with low (7–13%) to high (23%) plastic characteristics. Chemical analyses showed high SiO2 (53–75%) and low Al2O3 (6–14%) contents, followed by Fe2O3, CaO, K2O, and MgO. The clay materials are mainly made up of quartz, which is associated with feldspar, illite, smectite, and kaolinite. Between 900 and 1100 °C, the color of the specimens was mainly orange. The characteristics of the bricks are varied: water absorption (6–27%), linear shrinkage (1–10%), and flexural strength (4–17 Mpa). A significant development in the densification of ceramic behavior could be noticed at firing temperatures above 1000 °C. The results presented in this article indicate that these clay materials are suitable for the manufacture of earthenware and ceramic products, with or without addition.

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  1. Department of Mining Engineering, Laboratory of Extractive Metallurgy and Valorization of Mineral and Energy Resources, School of Geology & Mining Engineering, University of Ngaoundere, Ngaoundere, Cameroon

    Iyammi Bintou Moctar, Tchedele Langollo Yannick, Alarba Sam-Tunsa Albertine, Jacques Richard Mache & Nchare Mominou

  2. Local Materials Promotion Authority, MINRESI/MIPROMALO, P.O. Box 2396, Yaoundé, Cameroon

    Tchedele Langollo Yannick

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Moctar, I.B., Yannick, T.L., Albertine, A.ST. et al. Physico-chemical, mineralogical characterization, and ceramic properties of clay materials from South Mindif (Far North, Cameroon). JMST Adv. 5, 13–26 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42791-023-00047-9

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