Characterization of kaolin from Mankon, northwest Cameroon

Cameroon; Alumina; Aluminum oxide; Aromatic compounds; Ceramic products; Feldspar; Hematite; Kaolin; Kaolinite; Particle size; Particle size analysis; Scanning electron microscopy; Silica; Titanium dioxide; Clay

Abstract :

[en] 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. Copyright © Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland 2018.

Research Center/Unit :

Geology - GEOLOGY

Disciplines :

Earth sciences & physical geography

Author, co-author :

Nzeukou Nzeugang, Aubin ; Local Materials Promotion Authority (MIPROMALO), PO Box 2396, Yaoundé, Cameroon

Ouahabi, M. E.; Laboratory of Clays, Geochemistry and Sedimentary Environments (AGEs), Département de Géologie, Université de Liège, Quartier Agora, Allée du six Août, Liège, 14B-4000, Belgium

Aziwo, B.; Local Materials Promotion Authority (MIPROMALO), PO Box 2396, Yaoundé, Cameroon

Mache, Jacques Richard; Local Materials Promotion Authority (MIPROMALO), PO Box 2396, Yaoundé, Cameroon

Mefire Mounton, H. S.; EGEM Meiganga, University of Ngaoundere, PO Box, 115, Ngaoundere, Cameroon

Fagel, Nathalie ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de géologie > Argiles, géochimie et environnements sédimentaires

Language :

English

Title :

Characterization of kaolin from Mankon, northwest Cameroon

Publication date :

2018

Journal title :

Clay Minerals

ISSN :

0009-8558

Publisher :

Cambridge University Press

Volume :

Issue :

Pages :

563-577

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Name of the research project :

Caracterisation et valorisation des argiles de Foumban (Ouest Cameroun)

Funders :

ARES CCD - Académie de Recherche et d'Enseignement Supérieur. Coopération au Développement [BE]

Available on ORBi :

since 01 July 2019

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