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Characterization of kaolin from Mankon, northwest Cameroon

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 November 2018

A. Nzeukou Nzeugang ,
M. El Ouahabi ,
B. Aziwo ,
J.R. Mache ,
H.S. Mefire Mounton  and
N. Fagel
A. Nzeukou Nzeugang*
Affiliation:
Local Materials Promotion Authority (MIPROMALO), PO Box, 2396 Yaoundé, Cameroon
M. El Ouahabi
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Clays, Geochemistry and Sedimentary Environments (AGEs), Département de Géologie, Université de Liège, Quartier Agora, Allée du six Août, 14B-4000 Liège, Belgium
B. Aziwo
Affiliation:
Local Materials Promotion Authority (MIPROMALO), PO Box, 2396 Yaoundé, Cameroon
J.R. Mache
Affiliation:
Local Materials Promotion Authority (MIPROMALO), PO Box, 2396 Yaoundé, Cameroon
H.S. Mefire Mounton
Affiliation:
EGEM Meiganga, University of Ngaoundere, PO Box, 115 Ngaoundere, Cameroon
N. Fagel
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Clays, Geochemistry and Sedimentary Environments (AGEs), Département de Géologie, Université de Liège, Quartier Agora, Allée du six Août, 14B-4000 Liège, Belgium
*
*E-mail: nzeuk@yahoo.fr
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Abstract

A kaolin deposit from Mankon (northwest Cameroon) was prospected and studied for potential applications in ceramics. Six samples were investigated with X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared (IR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to determine the mineralogical composition and with X-ray fluorescence (XRF) to determine the chemical composition and properties for ceramic applications. The main minerals in the clays are kaolinite/halloysite and anatase associated with alunite, illite, gibbsite and maghemite. The kaolin samples have abundant organic matter (4–10%) and low absorption of methylene blue (0.2–2.5 meq/100 g), while SiO2 (33.28–56.31%) and Al2O3 (19.26–35.87%) are major oxides. The particle-size distribution derived from sieving and the hydrometer method indicates that 12–38% of the samples are in the <2 μm clay fraction. The clays have low to moderate plasticity (7–21%). One sample with K-feldspar and plagioclase displays the necessary properties for red ceramic products. SEM confirmed the occurence of halloysite in sample M9. The high kaolinite/halloysite content (64–97%), associated with low Fe2O3 content (0.5–1.4%) demonstrates that five samples are suitable raw materials for white firing industrial kaolin.

Keywords

kaolinpropertiesvalorizationceramicsCameroon
Type
Article
Information
Clay Minerals , Volume 53 , Issue 4 , December 2018 , pp. 563 - 577
Copyright
Copyright © Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland 2018 

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Footnotes

This paper was originally presented during the session: ‘CZ-01 – Clays for ceramics’ of the International Clay Conference 2017.

Guest Associate Editor: Michele Dondi

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