AN ASSESSMENT OF THE SUITABILITY OF IBETO CLAY IN NIGER STATE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF TABLEWARE

📄 Project Abstract

Lack of understanding of clay bodies hampers the art of pottery. This phenomenon is one of the problems militating against the growth of ceramic industry in Nigeria. The formulation of a clay body is a science which potters should pursue with vigour. The development of pottery depends on the understanding of the clay bodies needed in ceramic production. The discovery of Ibeto clay was a chanced discovery, coupled with the fact that Niger state is noted for pottery tradition that dates to many years. The need to study the physical content of Ibeto clay and to determine its suitability in tableware production has become necessary. In carrying out this research, the clay samples undergo chemical analysis which includes the use of X-Ray Fluorescence spectrphotmeter (XRF) and Bulk analysis by x-ray (Diffraction, XRD). Orient analysis was also carried out to determine whether the sample is a refractory material. The sample was also subjected to heat treatment to observe the behavioural patte...