Analysis Of Properties Of Kaolin Deposits In Nigeria
[CASE OF STUDIES OF KPANKOROGI AND IJERO-EKITI]

CHAPTER FOUR
4.0                                     Results and Discussions
4.1 Properties of Kaolin Samples
The Samples collected from the two Sampling locations, that is, the kpankorogi and Ijero-Ekitii were analyzed so as to enable their characterization.
The properties determined include atterberg  limits, Bulk density, specific gravity, moisture content, sieves analysis, X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence.
The sample from kpankorogi is referred to as Sample A and that of Ijero- Ekiti referred to as Sample B.
  Table 4.1   Engineering and Physical properties

4.1 Water Content Determination
For Sample A the water content is 26% and Sample B is 18%. As its show    in table 4.1
4.2 Bulk Density
The bulk densities obtained are as follows: Sample A it has a bulk density of 1.54g/cm3 while Sample B is 1.67g/cm3 as its shows in table 4.1. These are generally low bulk density values, however the value for Sample B approximately falls within the range recommended for by Hassan (2001), for dense fire bricks (1.7-2.1g/cm3).
4.3 Specific Gravity
The specific gravity of Sample A is 2.5 while that of Sample B is 2.6 as it shows in table 4.1. According to Gary (2008), for a material to be designated to be kaolin and not kaolinitic soil, its specific gravity must be 2.61. Sample A falls short of this specification while sample B more or less meets the specification. Therefore it is only sample B that can be strictly referred to as kaolin while sample A can be referred to as kaolinitic soil.
4.4 Atterbergs Limits
The Atterbergs limits are presented in table 4.1. The liquid limit for Sample A is 53.5% while that of Sample B is 43%. For the plastic limit, it is 37.4% for sample A and 16.4% for sample B. Consequently, the plasticity indices are as follow:
Sample A is 16% while that of Sample B is 26.6%. For the shrinkage limit, Sample A is 27% while that of Sample B is 30%.
The liquid limit for both samples is <100%. This indicates that the clay can be classified as inorganic clay. The plasticity indices of Sample A and Sample B indicates medium plasticity which suggested that the clay can moulded. Thus the studied Samples can be suitable for pottery making.