Compositional features and industrial applications of Ikere kaolinite

Kaolin is an industrial mineral which remains chemically inert over a relatively wide pH range. It has varied applications in ceramics, paper, paints, refractories, fiberglass, plastics, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. It could serve as road and building construction materials. In view of the highlighted properties of kaolinite, the compositional features of Ikere kaolinitic clay were investigated with a view to determining its industrial applications and provide a guide for further economic assessment of the deposit. As part of the study approach, twenty five representative samples of the kaolinite were analyzed for chemical composition using X-ray fluorescence analytical technique at Nigeria Institute of Science Laboratory Technology Ibadan (NISLT) while the granulometric analysis and other physical properties assessment were undertaken at Ekiti State Ministry of Works, Ado-Ekiti. Result of the granulometric analysis indicates that the Ikere kaolinite deposit consists of high percentage of clay/silt size particles with low shrinkage value (ca. 3.25 N/mm2) which makes it suitable as construction materials. The kaolinite is moderately plastic with specific gravity value ranging between 2.58 and 2.68 and a mean value of 2.61. The chemical analysis of the sample indicates the dominance of SiO2 and Al2O3 over other oxides with an average value of 50.14 % and 34.41 % respectively. Mean values of other oxides; Fe2O3, MnO, MgO, CaO, Na2O, K2O, TiO2 and P2O5 are 3.3.0%, 0.04%, 1.77%, 6.22%, 0.72%