Effect of Tin Tailings on Some Refractory Properties of Alumino-Silicates (Alkaleri) Clay

Victor Sunday Aigbodion, Clement Uche Atuanya, Chikaodi Cynthia Daniel Mkpume

Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.

DOI: 10.4236/jmmce.2013.12006                

Abstract

The possibilities of upgrading some refractory properties of Alkaleri Clay (Alumino-silicates), found in Alkaleri Village, Bauchi State, Nigeria, by blending with tin tailings for the production of fireclay refractory bricks were investigated. Refractory properties such as: linear shrinkage, apparent porosity, bulk density, cold crushing strength and thermal shock resistance were tested with percentage additions of tin tailings from 5 - 30 wt% in the blend. The test was conducted using the standard test techniques in each case. The results were compared with standard refractory properties for fire clay bricks. Cold crushing strength, bulk density, refractoriness and thermal shock resistance of the bricks made from the blend clay increased, as the percentages of tin tailings increased. The Linear shrinkage and apparent porosity decreased as the percentages of tin tailings addition increased. All the values obtained from the blends are within the recommended values for dense fireclay bricks. Hence, dense fireclay can be produced from this blended.

Keywords

Tin Talings; Alkeri Clay; Refractory Properties

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	A. R. Chesti, “Refractories Manufacture, Properties and Application,” Prentice Hall of Private Limited, London, 1986, pp. 1-140.
[2]	S. B. Hassan, “Refractory Properties of Bauchi and Onibode Clay of Nigeria for Furnace Lining,” African Journal of Sciences and Technology, Vol. 1 No. 1, 2000, pp. 56-60.
[3]	J. H. Chesters, “Refractory Production and Properties,” The Iron and Steel Institute, London, 1975, pp. 295-315.
[4]	J. U. Omuwomi, “Characterisation of Some Nigerian Clay Deposits as Refractory Materials for Furnace Lining,” Nigerian Journal of Engineering Materials, Vol. 2, No. 3, 2001, pp. 34-40.
[5]	V. S. Aigbodion, “An Investigation of the Effect of Ile-Oluji Clay on Some Refractory Properties of Alkaleri Clay, Insights on Science and Technology,” Afro-Euro Centre for Development Studies, Sprain, 2008, pp. 21-29.
[6]	V. S. Aigbodion, A. S. A. Rahman and I. A. Madugu, “Characterisation Study of the Effect of Zircon Sand on Some Refractory Properties of Alkaleri Clay,” International Research Journal in Engineering, Science and Engineering, Vol. 4 No. 2, 2007, pp. 135-142.
[7]	S. B. Hassan, “The Study of the Refractory Properties of Some Nigerian Clay Deposits,” Master’s Thesis, Department of Metallurgical Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, 1990, pp. 23-40
[8]	Jos Tin Smelting Company, 2006. www.amanaonline.com
[9]	E. O. Akinbode, “An Investigation on the Properties of Termite Hill as Refractory Material for Furnace Lining,” Indian Foundry Journal, Vol. 5, No. 3, 1996, pp. 10-13