effects of sintering temperature on the phase developments and mechanical properties ifon clay

Effects of sintering temperature on the phase development and mechanical properties of clay based ceramics produced from Ifon clay (from Ondo State, Nigeria) were investigated. Clay sourced from the deposit was processed through hydrometallurgical means. The processed dried clay powders were uniaxially compacted into standard sample dimensions and fired at various sintering temperatures, 800°C, 900°C, 1000°C, 1100°C and 1200°C and held for 1 hour in a furnace. Both the raw processed clay and the sintered samples were characterized using state-of-art-equipment. The mechanical properties of the sintered samples were also investigated and the generated data analyzed. It was observed that the raw Ifon clay contains 5.63% kaolinite, 3.81% muscovite/illite, 30.9% microcline, 18.22% plagioclase/albite and 41.42% quartz. The apparent porosity, cold crushing strength, absorbed energy and water absorption of the samples decreased with increased sintering temperature, while the bulk density and Young’s Modulus of elasticity of the samples increased with increased sintering temperature. The sintered samples were composed mainly of quartz, microcline and anorthite and only the sample sintered at 800°C contains muscovite. It was concluded that the sample which was sintered at 800°C held for 1 hour and cooled in the furnace have the optimum properties.