Chima, O. M.
Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering and Engineering Technology. Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State Nigeria
Nwokeocha, T. O.
Department of Industrial and Production Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka
Aliegu, F. N.
Department of Metallurgical Engineering Technology, Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnics, Unwana
ABSTRACT
Sample of Nigerian clay deposit located at Ohiya
Umuahia in Abia State was characterized for development of electrical porcelain
insulator. The clay sample was processed, moulded and fired at the temperatures
of 9000C, 10000C, 11000C, 12000C
and 12200C. Standard experimental methods were adopted to test for
the electrical and physico mechanical properties of surface and volume
resistivity, breakdown voltage, linear shrinkage, apparent porosity, bulk
density, water absorption and modulus of rupture. Compaction method was used to
produce experimental test samples while Slip solid casting method was used to
develop the electrical porcelain insulator from the processed clay which was
later glazed and fired at 12000C. Results obtained showed that the
clay possessed linear shrinkage of 6.8 – 8.05%, apparent porosity of 15.84 –
8.20%, bulk density of 1.726 – 1.8g/cm3, water absorption of 15.84 –
8.2%, modulus of rupture of 14.11 – 31.93kg/cm2, surface resistivity
of 6.82 x 107- 7.27 x 107 Ω, volume resistivity of 4 x 107
– 5.595 x 107 Ωcm and breakdown voltage of 50KV/mm. It was found
that linear shrinkage, bulk density, modulus of rupture and electrical
resistivity increased while apparent porosity and water absorption decreased
with increase in firing temperatures. The properties obtained compare well with
those of imported insulators used in power distribution and transmission. It
was therefore recommended that Ohiya clay should be used as industrial raw
material for the development of electrical porcelain insulator for power distribution
and transmission.
Keywords: Porcelain, Clay, Insulator, Raw material, Temperature
|
View: 268 | Download: 5
Published
Thursday, December 27, 2018
Issue
Vol. 4 No. 2, DEC 2018
Article Section
GENERAL
The contents of the articles are the sole opinion of the author(s) and not of UJET.
|