Umudike Journal of Engineering and Technology

Combination of local agro waste additives-(groundnut shell, sawdust and rice husk) mixed at equal proportions was used to enhance the performance of refractory properties of blended clay. The chemical composition of the clays and additives were determined with the help of x-ray fluoresce while the micro structural examination was done using scanning electron microscope. Two clay samples from Nguzu Edda and Amaiyi Edda deposits were blended at ratio 40:60 to get the control sample. Combination of the three different local waste additives was blended with the control sample at four different formulations (5, 10, 15 and 20%). The composite material was moulded and fired at 1200⁰C and after that tested for the refractory properties. The refractory properties of bricks made with the control sample and the composite sample had respective values of (6.59 and 5.49%), (1.77 and 1.73 g/cm³), (15.38 and 36.36%), (32.7 and 34.3N/mm²), (30 and 32 cycles), (0.00318 and 0.00294 W/mm⁰C) and (1550 and 1670⁰C) for linear shrinkage, bulk density, apparent porosity, modulus of rupture, thermal shock resistance, thermal conductivity and refractoriness respectively. Hence, the results obtained show that percentage enhancement of (16.7, 72, 4.7, 6.2, 7.5 and 7.2 %) were achieved in linear shrinkage, apparent porosity, modulus of rupture, thermal shock resistance, thermal conductivity and refractoriness respectively. However, it was observed that bulk density deteriorated by 2.2%. It was also noted that the percentage composition of the additive had significant effect on the properties of the composite brick. Therefore, it was concluded that the use of combination of agro additives as secondary raw materials in brick production enhances the properties of the material. The additives are also good raw material for the production of insulating and refractory brick product of high quality.