Mineralogy and preliminary assessment of the potential uses of alluvial clays from Batouri (Eastern-Cameroon)

Abstract

This study aimed at assessing the potential uses of alluvial clayey materials from Batouri. Their mineralogical, chemical and some physicomechanical characteristics are presented with some characteristics of fired bricks at 900, 950, 1000, 1050 and 1100°C. The raw materials consisted of kaolinite, quartz, K-feldspars, anatase, and goethite. The phases formed during the firing process were mullite, quartz, hematite, and anatase. The linear shrinkage increased with firing temperature and remained <12% while water absorption decreased and remained <25%. Flexural strength increased due to the formation of dense phases (especially mullite) and, except for one sample, was at least 2 MPa. The SEM micrographs showed cracks that accounted for overall moderate mechanical responses. For firing above 1000°C, the flexural strength of the three samples makes them usable as raw materials for roofing tiles manufacturing if the convenient amendment is done. The overall properties highlighted that all the studied materials are usable for brick manufacturing.