Author(s)

Joseph Marie Moutou^1,2, Paul Mozalin Foutou¹, Laurent Matini^1,2, Vivien Banzouzi Samba¹, Zita Flora Diamouangana Mpissi¹, Raunel Loubaki¹

¹Laboratoire de Chimie Minérale Appliquée, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université Marien Ngouabi, Brazzaville, Congo.
²Ecole Normale Supérieure, Université Marien Ngouabi, Brazzaville, Congo.

The overall goal of this study is to characterize and to evaluate the potential uses of clay mined in the Nzaou locality. The Mou sample is argillaceous texture and medium plasticity (Ip = 28.9). Kaolinite is dominant clay species (44.41%). It is associated with illite (9%). Quartz and rutile are the main non clay minerals. The CEC is 8.66 cmol+/kg. Organic matter is low (0.839%). Total shrinkage obtained by dilatometry at 1200°C is 9.26%. The chemical and mineralogical compositions have allowed using the ternary diagrams of Fabbri and Fiori that the MOU clay is favorable for glazed white stoneware (GWS) and for the production of clinker (KLK). Dondi typologies of ceramic tiles according to body color (mostly depending on the iron oxide content) and compactness (expressed by water absorption) have confirmed the use for the manufacture of the GWS and clinker. Classification always according to Dondi taking into account the rate of kaolinite, the fine fraction (<2 μm) and plasticity index gives MOU clay to be considered as medium ball clays (BC1). The absorption rate indicates that the body fired at 1200°C will be vitrified. Flexural strength at 1200°C (16 MPa) does not correspond to the requirements of GWS or a clinker.

Mouyondzi Clay, Mineralogy, Technological Properties, Potentiality, Ceramic Tiles

Moutou, J.M., Foutou, P.M., Matini, L., Samba, V.B., Mpissi, Z.F.D. and Loubaki, R. (2018) Characterization and Evaluation of the Potential Uses of Mouyondzi Clay. Journal of Minerals and Materials Characterization and Engineering, 6, 119-138. doi: 10.4236/jmmce.2018.61010.