AN EVALUATION OF THE SUITABILITY OF CERAMIC RAW MATERIALS IN KEBBI STATE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF TABLEWARE FOR SMALL SCALE INDUSTRY

📄 Project Abstract

The Industrial development of a nation could be achieved through the effective and efficient utilization of the available raw materials and Ceramic Industries are some of the enterprises that rely heavily on such raw materials. Kebbi State has been endowed with natural resources including ceramic raw materials. Data from geological documents and information received from respondents aided the identification of locations and subsequent collection of the raw materials. These are kaolin, ball clay, quartz, feldspar and limestone. Chemical analyses and physical property tests were conducted. The triaxial blend method was adapted to study the effect of the materials while slip casting technique was used to shape the sample wares and the samples were fired in the kerosene kiln. Based on the chemical analyses and physical tests performed, the study found that Kaoje, Koko and Giro Kaolins; Birnin Kebbi and Felande ball clays; Aliero, Dangamaji and Katanga limestones; Bena feldspar and Bena qua...