Authors Accepted Manuscript

Mineralogical, physico-chemical and technological

characterization of clays from Maroua (Far-North,
Cameroon) for use in ceramic bricks production

Dsir Tsozu, Aubin Nzeukou Nzeugang, Jacques

Richard Mache, Suilabayuy Loweh, Nathalie Fagel
www.elsevier.com/locate/jobe

PII: S2352-7102(16)30171-1
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2017.03.008
Reference: JOBE234
To appear in: Journal of Building Engineering
Received date: 2 September 2016
Revised date: 11 February 2017
Accepted date: 15 March 2017
Cite this article as: Dsir Tsozu, Aubin Nzeukou Nzeugang, Jacques Richard
Mache, Suilabayuy Loweh and Nathalie Fagel, Mineralogical, physico-chemical
and technological characterization of clays from Maroua (Far-North, Cameroon)
for use in ceramic bricks production, Journal of Building Engineering,
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2017.03.008
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Mineralogical, physico-chemical and technological characterization of clays
from Maroua (Far-North, Cameroon) for use in ceramic bricks production

Dsir Tsozua*, Aubin Nzeukou Nzeugangb, Jacques Richard Macheb, Suilabayuy Lowehb,

Nathalie Fagelc

a
Department of Earth Sciences, University of Maroua, P.O. Box 814 Maroua, Cameroon
b
Local Materials Promotion Authority (MIPROMALO), P.O. Box, 2396 Yaound, Cameroun
c
Laboratory of Clays, Geochemistry and sedimentary Environments (AGEs), Boulevard du
Rectorat,17 (Bt. B18) Sart Tilman - 4000, Liege, Belgium

*
tsozudsir@yahoo.fr

Abstract

This article summarized some characteristics of clayey materials from semi-arid

climate in Far North Cameroon and evaluated their use in ceramic bricks production. Three

samples (Ma1, Ma2 and Ma3) were characterized using XRD, FTIR, XRF and firing at 900,

1000 and 1100C. SiO2 (~64-75%), Al2O3 (~12-15%), Fe2O3 (~2-5%) and (~7%) of fluxing

agents (K2O, CaO, Na2O) were the predominant oxides with a reduce contents in Ma3. Quartz

(~40%), K-feldspar (~25%) and plagioclase (~14%) were non-clay minerals while clays

minerals were mainly kaolinite (~4-10%), illite (~4-7%) and smectite (~2-7%). Ma1 and Ma2

are similar in terms of mineralogy, particle size distribution and plasticity. Sample M3 is most

sandy (65%) and less plastic (2.3%). After firing Ma1 and Ma2 provided good technological

properties compared to Ma3. At 1000C for example, they displayed a metallic sound, bulk

density of 1.8g/cm3, a linear shrinkage <5%, water absorption of 13% and flexural strength

>5MPa. Mixing Ma3 with other samples (up to 50%) substantially improved the quality of the

firing specimens for making construction bricks.

Keywords: Clays; Mineralogy; physico-chemical properties; ceramic; Maroua.

1- Introduction

Clays are one of the most abundant constituents of the earths surface [1]. They are raw

materials commonly used in ceramic industries. They contain different constituents formed by

weathering of rocks and sediments. Their varieties of uses and properties depend on their

structure and composition [1-3]. Soil fertility for example is largely determined by the

presence of clay. In addition to its agricultural importance, clay has been used for millennia as

building material (bricks), for pottery, body care (masks and mouthwash), for medical uses

(treatment of diarrhoea and gastric ulcers), geopolymer applications and even for

environmental remediation [4-7]. In building construction, clayey materials are an important

components and different regions of the world use traditional handicraft red clay bricks

which are made of local resources available in the surrounding area [8]. Technological

requirements are often based on the particle size, chemical composition, mineralogical

composition and moisture content [1, 9]. In Cameroon, clay materials occur as residual

product in soil profiles and accumulated materials in some basin or catchment areas [10-12].

Studies carried out in Cameroon belong essentially to the warm and humid tropical zone of

the country [13-15]. In this area, clay materials are characterized by high iron contents whose

influence on mechanical resistance of building materials is well known, and the lack of

fluxing agents as alkali and alkaline earth elements which are necessary for low temperatures

firing. In the semiarid zone of the country on contrary, works on clayey materials are very

rare. In this area, geochemical processes are dominated by bisiallitisation, iron contents are

weak and fluxing agents as alkali and alkaline earth elements are well represented [16, 17]. In

the Maroua region, localized in semiarid zone, alluvial clays are present in all river beds.

They are only exploited for traditional uses, mainly for pottery and traditional bricks. The aim
of the study is to determine the mineralogical, physico-chemical and technological features of

some clay samples found in the Maroua region, and to evaluate their use in the ceramic bricks

production. According to the bioclimatic aspects of local materials like bricks and tiles, these

clayey materials of Maroua can be a solution for housing shortage and thermal comfort in the

Sahel area if they are well exploited and transformed.

2- Geographical and geological setting

The study was conducted in the locality of Maroua, in Far North Cameroon (Fig. 1). The

climate is Sudano-Sahelian, characterized by a mean annual rainfall of 757.2 mm and mean

annual air temperature of about 28.53C. The aridity index (I) of De Martonne [18] shows a

dry season from November to May (I < 20) and a raining season from June to September (I >

20). The rains are concentrated in the two humid months of the year, July and August (I > 50).

The relief of the region is composed of two geomorphological units, hills specifically

inselbergs and plains. The inselbergs are characterized by gentle to steep slopes. They are

formed at the base by a lower to middle Precambrian basement (500 to 600 Ma), mesozonal

to catazonal, composed mainly of gneiss and migmatites [19]. This basement was intruded by

many rocks types of which gabbros are dominant [20]. Plains form the most important unit

dominating the landscape of the whole Far North Region of Cameroon. They are composed

mainly of alluvial deposits of Quaternary age [21]. These plains are drained by many seasonal

stream (or Mayos) with the most important being Mayo Tsanaga, Mayo Mizao and Mayo

Kaliao (Fig. 1).

3- Materials and methods

3-1- Sampling techniques

 Field works consisted of many expeditions in the Maroua region. Alluvial clay

deposits were observed in all river banks which enjoy a favourable accessibility, making them

attractive for exploitation in dry season. They were well observed in Mayo Kaliao banks

which were therefore chosen as the study site (Fig.1). Three bulk samples were collected from

three layers of two vertical sections of the Mayo Kaliao banks. The two vertical sections were

distanced by 100 m. One sample was collected in one layer of the left bank and two samples

from two layers of the right bank. The samples were designated Ma1 for the layer of the left

bank, Ma2 and Ma3 respectively for the upper layer and the bottom layer of the right vertical

section (Fig. 2). Samples Ma2 and Ma3 were homogenized and mixed in equal proportion

(50%) to form one mixture called sample "Ma4". The colour observed in the field is gray.

These samples were then characterized in the laboratory in order to highlight the relationships

between their ceramic behaviour and composition.

3-2- Analytical methods

The particle size distribution was determined by wet sieving for the 80 m fraction

and gravity sedimentation for fraction < 80 m. The Atterberg limits (liquid limit-Wl,

plasticity limit-Pl and plasticity index-IP) were obtained by the Casagrand method. These

analyses were done following the ASTM norm, D-422 and D-4318 respectively.

The chemical composition was determined by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF)

with Bruker S8 Tiger 4kW spectrometer equipment at Local Materials Promotion Authority

(MIPROMALO), Cameroon. The samples (1g each) were dissolved in 8g of borax

(Na2B4O710H2O) to make a fused bead at 1150C.

Bulk and clay minerals were identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD) carried out on

disoriented powders and on oriented aggregates. They were obtained with a Bruker Advance

D8 diffractometer (copper K1 radiance, = 1, 5418 , V= 40kV, I=30mA) in the laboratory

of "Argiles, Gochimie et Environments sedimentaire (AGEs)" at the University of Lige,

Belgium, according to the methodology of [22]. The measurements were carried out in the 2

range from 2 to 45 with step size of 0.02 and time per step 2s. Identification of mineral

phases was carried out using Eva software. Further tests for detailed identification were air-

drying (24 hours), glycolation (22 hours) and heating (500C for 4 hours). Qualitative and

semi-quantitative estimation (5-10%; [23] were based on peak intensities of XRD patterns

[24]; Thorez, 1976 in [25] (Tab.2).

FTIR spectra (Kbr pellets) with a resolution of 4 cm were recorded on a Bruker Alpha-

P spectrometer.

For firing test, specimens of (80 mm x 40 mm x 18 mm) were made using a 10 KN

hydraulic press with a compaction pressure of 3.1MPa, and then dried at room temperature for

72 h, oven-dried (105C). The dried samples were fired at 900, 1000 and 1100C for 5 hours

at a heating rate of 5C per minute in a Multimate furnace. The firing temperature adopted at

work are 900, 1000 and 1100C. The raw materials used are common clays from Maroua

generally favourable for fired bricks. Some of these clays are rich in smectite and fusible

chemical elements during firing. Following the environmental aspect relating to the economy

of energy consumption, it is well known that the ideal temperature to fire bricks must be less

than 1000 C. Also, the region of Maroua is a semi-arid area where source of energy like

wood are very scarce. Colours of raw and fired samples were determined using the Munsell

Soil Color Chart. Sound test was done by knocking the fired specimens with a metal rod. The

firing shrinkage 100(Lm-Lf)/Lm were obtained according to the relative variation in the length

of the specimen, where Lm is the length of the mould and Lf is the length of the fired

specimen. The water absorption and bending strength were determined using ASTM norm

C373-72 and C674-77 respectively. Each result obtained is the average value of 04 samples

tested.
4- Results and discussion

4-1- Mineralogical composition

Bulk powder diffractograms revealed the predominance of quartz in all the clay

samples (peaks around 4.25 , 3.34 , 2.45 , 2.12 , 1.85 and 1.54 ). Peaks of feldspar

at 3.24 , plagioclase at 3.18 and anatase at 3.51 were also observed (Fig.3A). At 4.47

, there was the peak associated to clay minerals contribution which in oriented samples

showed the presence of kaolinite (7.16 ), illite (9.95 ) and smectite (15.45 ) (Fig. 3B).

The presence of smectite was confirmed by the glycerol solvation test with the shifting of the

001 peak (from 15.45 to 17.40 ). The diffraction peak at 9.95 and 7.16 were not

shifted during glycolation and further confirmed the presence of illite and kaolinite. The 7.16

diffraction peak disappeared after heating at 500 C while the 9.95 peak was still

observable. The increase of the intensity of diffraction peak at 9.95 after thermal treatment

at 500 C was due to the collapse of the smectite diffraction peak at 10 which is an

additional evidence of smectite. On the quantitative point of view, quartz was the most

abundant mineral, with proportion ranging from 37% to 41%, followed by K-feldspar (23-

34%), plagioclase (12-17%), kaolinite (4-10%), illite (4-7%) and smectite (2-7%) (Tab. 1).

XRD patterns of samples Ma1 and Ma2 were superimposable, indicating similar

mineralogical composition. The difference observed with sample Ma3 mainly focussed on the

clays minerals peaks. Indeed, Ma3 showed the lowest percentage of clays minerals (10%)

while Ma1 and Ma2 presented the highest content (22-24%) (Tab. 1).

The FTIR spectra (Fig. 4) confirmed the high contents in quartz and aluminosilicate

minerals shown by the SiO stretching bands between 9001200 cm-1 or 750-800 cm-1, and

the AlO bending at 400-700 cm-1. The characteristic bands of O-H stretching of kaolinite

appeared between 3695 cm-1 (1) and 3619 cm-1(4). A well crystallized kaolinite generally

presents four OH-stretching bands: 1 at 3695-3696 cm-1; 2 at 3675-3668 cm-1; 3 at 3655-

3652 cm-1 and 4 at 3619-3620 cm-1 [26]. The absence of a well-defined peak of 2 and 3

suggests that the kaolinite presents in the studied clays was disordered or poorly crystallized

along the (a,b) axes [27]. The disordered or poorly crystallized character of the kaolinite

evidenced by the absence of Al-O-H bending bands at 938 cm-1. This suggests stacking faults

along the c- axis. This confirms the sedimentary origin of kaolinite [27, 28]. The band at

3434 cm-1 could be attributed to the OH vibration of hydroxyl alumina in agreement with [29]

(Fig. 4). The intense band at 1630 cm-1 was attributed to the bending vibration of physisorbed

water molecules. As expected from XRD results, Ma1 and Ma2 spectra were superimposable,

confirming once again the similarity between the mineralogical compositions of the two. One

could also mention the presence of bands between 2900 and 2700 cm-1 (stretching vibration of

the C-H bonds of aliphatic compounds) due to the presence of organic matter in samples.

In all, the mineralogical composition of studied samples included quartz, feldspar,

kaolinite, illite, smectite and trace of anatase (Table 1, Fig. 3). However, kaolinite proportion

of clayey materials obtained in this tropical dry climate was low (<10%). This proportion was

less than those of materials frequently studied in the tropical humid climate zone [10, 11, 14,

15]. Kaolinite is generally formed in areas with abundant rainfall dominated by

monosiallitisation processes. According to [16], weathering processes in the Maroua area is

dominated by bisiallitisation. This process is favoured by morphoclimatic and hydrological

conditions in the Far North Region of Cameroon (low rainfall, high temperature inducing high

evaporation and low gradient slopes) which considerably limit the external drainage. Also,

iron contents were low and fluxing agents as alkali and alkaline earth elements were well

represented. The combination of these factors leads to the relative concentration of bases and

silica, as shown by chemical analysis (SiO2 >60%, sum of bases ~7%), and creates favourable

conditions for the genesis of the smectite. The SiO2/Al2O3 ratio is >3%, confirming the

presence of smectites [16].

4-2- Physico-chemical composition

Particle size distribution and plasticity are important parameters to evaluate the use of

clays as raw material in ceramic building bricks [30].

Particle size analysis showed that clay fraction (< 2m) ranged from 16.5 to 40%

while that of silts (2<>20 m) and sand (20<>2000m) varied respectively from 17 to

34% and 29 to 36% (Tab. 2). Higher content of clay fraction were observed in Ma1 (36%)

and Ma2 (40%). Ma3 was reach in sand fraction (66%) and deficient in clay fraction (16.5%),

in line with a high proportion of quartz fraction observed in XRD analysis. According to

Winklers diagram, sample Ma1 and Ma2 were suitable for thin-walled hollow bricks and

roofing tiles lightweight bricks, and Ma3 was classified for solid brick making (Fig. 5a).

Plasticity of all samples varied between 2.3 25.7% (Tab.2). In the Casagrand's

diagram, the studied alluvial clays belonged to the domain of low plastic clay (Ma3) and illitic

medium plastic clay (Ma1 and Ma2) [31] (Fig. 5c). The high quartz contents constituted the

main factor responsible for lowest plasticity noted in Ma3. The plasticity index (PI) values of

Ma3 lower than 10% implied that this sample is not appropriate for building-related ceramic

production due to the risk of inappropriate extrusion process [32] (Fig. 5b). The plasticity

index values of Ma1 and Ma2 higher than 10% on contrary might be successfully used to

produce structural clay products by extrusion process. The mixture Ma4 was also good for

optimal extrusion process in brick making.

Bulk chemical composition of sample was generally considered as a starting point to

test the fusibility of clays for ceramic bodies [30,33]. Chemical data of studied clays

correlated with their mineralogical composition. The main oxides for all samples were SiO2

(64-77%), Al2O3, and Fe2O3 (Table 2). Al2O3 contents were not very high (11-15%) and the

proportion of iron oxide Fe2O3 was significant (2-5%). Ma3 was more siliceous (77%) with
less iron (2%). Silica and alumina contents agreed respectively with the quartz and kaolinite

contents. The LOI (13%, 8% and 2%) was low compared with entirely kaolinitic clays (14%)

and also indicated a greater amount of impurities (quartz, feldspar). The sum of

exchangeable bases (K2O, Na2O, MgO, CaO) was high (around 7%), implying that these

studied clays integrated fluxing minerals. The presence of feldspar, illite and smectite could

guarantee a good fusibility of the bricks principally for Ma1 and Ma2 in which illite and

smectite contribution is better than Ma3.

4-3- Technological properties

The mineralogical compositions and physicochemical parameters of samples Ma1 and

Ma2 were almost similar, but different with those of Ma3 which was sandier in composition.

Samples Ma2 and Ma3 were homogenized and mixed in equal proportion (50%) to form one

mixture called sample "Ma4". The firing properties of bricks specimens show a metallic

sound and very good cohesion for samples Ma1, Ma2 and the mixture Ma4 (at 1100C)

(Table 3). No cracks were observed in all specimens as shown in Fig. 6. This metallic sound

probably reflects the maturity of the fired products [34]. Apart from the resonance, the bulk

density, linear shrinkage, water absorption and the flexural strength were also used to access

the fusibility of the mixture formulations.

The bulk density of the fired products which increased with the firing temperature

varied between 1.7 to 2 g/cm3 and was slightly lower for Ma3 (1.6 g/cm3). The high value of

the bulk density (2 g/cm3) was observed at 1100C, confirming the mineralogical

transformations that occurred.

The linear shrinkage values of the bricks increased with increasing firing temperature

(Tab. 3). At < 1000C, the values were less than 3% (Ma1 and Ma4), 5% (Ma2), and 0.2%

(Ma3). These values rose to 6% (Ma1), 8% (Ma2), 1.2% (Ma3) and 3% (Ma4) when the
temperature reached 1100C. This shrinking and bulk density behaviour, primarily attributed

to the degree of sintering and initial porosity of the green body, is probably due to

rearrangement reactions within the firing product associated to partial sintering of some

phases [35]. Ma3 presented the lowest shrinkage values (0.1 to 1.2%). Ma2 showed a higher

linear shrinkage (4 to 8%), after Ma1 (2 to 6%) and Ma4 (0.8 to 3.1%), suggesting a positive

effect of the mixture Ma2 and Ma3 on the shrinkage.

The water absorption values decrease with increasing firing temperature (Tab. 3).

These values were 13.8% and 12.5% (at 900C), around 13% and 12% at temperature <

1000C and decrease again to 6-7% at 1100C for Ma1 and Ma2 samples respectively. For

Ma3, values were around 17-18% at temperature below 1000C and decreased to 13% at

1100C. The mixture Ma4 portrayed a positive effect by reducing the percentage of water

absorption, which varied with firing temperature (13% from T<1000C) to 10% at 1100C.

Considering the reported value (less than 20%) of water absorption recommended for fired

brick in tropical countries [34], the produced bricks remain acceptable. All the studied bricks

presented an increase of the bending strength from 900C to 1100C. The low values of

bending strength attributed to Ma3 (< 3MPa) were probably due to the poor fusibility of this

sample, correlated to the low content of clayey minerals (illite and smectite). Also, all

samples with high values of water absorption show low values of bending strength. This may

be due to the fact that in the absence of liquid phase, the rearrangement would not lead to a

strong densification. Consequently, the open porosity is high. At temperatures near 1000C,

the bending strength increase from 5 or 6 MPa to 10 MPa (sample Ma1 and Ma2) and from 3

MPa to 6MPa (sample Ma4). The admixture of Ma2 in the Ma3 slightly increased the bending

strength values; this may arise from the ongoing reaction of the fusibility phases brought by

Ma2 sample. At high temperature the increase value may probably be related to phase

transformations like mullite formation [8, 10, 15]. According to [36], 7 MPa is the minimum
value required for normal fired brick. The alluvial clays studied could be used for industrial

production of fired bricks and the minimal firing temperature required is 1000C.

5- Conclusion

The main aim of the present work was to determine the mineralogical, physico-chemical and

technological features of three clay samples found in the Maroua region in dry climate, and to

evaluate their use in the ceramic bricks production. The main results revealed that the clays

deposit in Maroua region consist mainly of clayey portions (Ma1 and Ma2) and sandy

portions (Ma3). Ma3 shows a lower percentage of clays contribution (10%) while Ma1 and

Ma2 present the higher content (22-24%). The mineralogical composition of samples includes

quartz (37-41%), k-feldspar (23-24%), plagioclase (12-17%), kaolinite (4-10%), illite (4-7%),

smectite (2-7%) and trace of anatase (3%). From the physico-chemical properties, the alluvial

clays were classified as medium plastic clays (Ma1 and Ma2) to low plastic clay (Ma3).

According to their firing properties, the studied natural clays are suitable for brick-making

except Ma3, which can be suitable unless after adding fusibility clay like Ma2 to control the

shaping.

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful Dr Kenne Dedzo Gustave from the University of Yaound 1 for his

contribution. We also thank Dr Cornelius Tsamo for English editing. We are glad for the

comments and suggestions of the anonymous referees who have substantially improved the

quality of this paper.

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[30] Dondi M., Fabbri B., Guarini G. (1998) Grain-size distribution of Italian raw materials

for building clay products: a reappraisal of the Winkler diagram. Clay Minerals, 33,

435-442

[31] Holtz R.D. and Kovacs W.D. 1981. An introduction to geotechnical engineering.

Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, Prentice Hall, 733 p.

[32] Bain J.A. & Highley D.E. 1966. Regional appraisal of clay resources. A challenge to the

clay mineralogist. Pp. 437458 in: Proceedings of the IV International Clay Conference

(M.M. Mortland & V.C. Farmer, editors). AIPEA, Oxford, 1014 July 1978.

[31] Manning D.A.C., 1995. Introduction to industrial mineral. Chapman & Hall Edition,

London. 275 p.

[34] Melo C.U., Kamseu E., Djangang C., 2003. "Effect of fluxes on the fired properties

between 950-1050C of some Cameroonian clays," Tiles & Bricks International, vol.

19, 2003, pp57-69.

 [35] Lematre, J., Leonard, J., Delmon B. 1977. "The sequence of phases in the 900- 1050C

transformation of metakaolinite," Proceeding of International Clay Conference, 60,

1977, pp37-43.

[36] Sigg, J., 1991. Les produits de terre cuites, SEPTIMA, Paris, 423p.

Fig 1: Localisation of residual clays in Maroua, Far-North, Cameroon (a). Geological map of

the study area

Fig 2: Vertical sections across the alluvial deposits of the Mayo Mizao River banks (A: left

bank; B: wright bank)

Fig 3: XRD patterns of samples (A): Bulk XRD pattern, K: kaolinite, Q: Quartz; K-Felds:

Feldspar; Pla: Plagioclase. (B): Clay < 2 m pattern. N: air dried condition; EG glycolated

condition with ethylene glycol for 22h; H: heated at condition (500 C for 4 h).

Fig 4: IR curves of clays studied

Fig 5: Evaluation of the suitability of raw material base on empirical diagrams. (A) Diagram

of Winkler (1954) in [1], showing suitable mixtures of grains fractions for solid brick (1),

vertically perforated bricks (2); roofing tiles lightweight bricks (3) and thin walled hollow

bricks (4). (B)Diagram of Bain and Highley [32] showing sample good for brick (Ma3),

samples acceptable (Ma1, Ma3) or optimum (mixture Ma4) in extrusion brick-making. (C)

Diagram of Holtz and Kovacs [31] showing the illitic character of Ma1 and Ma2.

Fig 6: Specimen of fired samples

Table 1: Mineral composition of clays materials

Mineralogical
Minerals Measured intensity CF* References Composition %
of reflection d() Ma1 Ma2 Ma3
Powder Quartz (3.34 ) 3.37-3.31 1 37 41 41
 K- feldspar (3.24 ) 3.26 3.21 4.30 Cook et al., 1975 25 23 34
Plagioclase(3.18 ) 3.21-3.16 7 12 12 17
Anatase (3.51 ) 3.54 -3.50 3 1 0
Booski et al. 1998 in
Argile (4.47 ) 4.4 20 Fagel et al. 2003 22 24 10

Kaolinite (Eg) 7.1-7.2 0.73 10 10 4

Oriented Illite (Eg) 10 1 7 6 4
Fagel et al. 2003
aggregates Smectite
17 5 6 7 2
(Illite 500 Illite Eg)
*Corrective factor

Table 2: Physical and chemical properties of Maroua clay soils

Physical and chemical properties Samples

Ma1 Ma2 Ma3 Ma4
Clay : - (<0.002 mm) 36.3 40.1 16.5 -
Silt: - (0.002 0.02 mm) 34.01 27.49 17.06 -
Sand: - (0.02 2 mm) 29.47 31.11 65.52 -
Gravel: - (> 2mm) 0.22 1.3 0.92 -
Liquid limit (Wl) 43.2 48.6 25.5 34.7
Plastic limit (Wp) 23 22.9 23.2 21.1
Plastic index (Ip) 20.2 25.7 2.3 13.6
SiO2 63.61 66.15 77.36 -
Al2O3 13.78 14.62 11.78 -
Fe2O3 3.92 4.83 2.04 -
K2O 2.64 2.67 3.33 -
MgO 0.75 0.83 0.33 -
TiO2 0.88 0.94 0.68 -
P2O5 0.07 0.06 0.02 -
CaO 1.76 2.18 2.02 -
Mn2O3 0.10 0.09 0.07 -
Na2O 1.20 1.34 1.77 -
SO3 0.09 0.10 0.10 -
L.O.I 12.54 8.14 2.70 -
SiO2/Al2O3 4.62 4.52 6.57 -

Table 3: Physical properties of fired products from Maroua clayey soil

Ma1 Ma2 Ma3 Ma4

T (C) (50% M2+50% Ma3)
900 1000 1100 900 1000 1100 900 1000 1100 900 1000 1100
5YR
5YR 5/6 5YR 6/6 5YR 5/4
10YR 5/8 5/6 10 YR 5/6 2,5Y 6/6 10YR 6/3
Color Red Yellow Brown
Brown yellow Red Brown yellow Olive yellow Light brown
yellow red red
yellow
Cracking No crack No crack No crack No crack
Cohesion Good Good Poor Poor Average Good
Slightly
Sonority /sound Metallic Metallic Metallic Mat Metallic
metallic
Bulk density
1.7 1.8 1.9 1.8 1.8 2.0 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.8 1.8 1.9
(g/cm3)
Linear
2.0 2.7 5.7 4.3 5.2 8.3 0.1 0.2 1.2 0.8 1.0 3.1
shrinkage (%)
Water
13.8 13.1 7.3 12.5 12.2 6.2 18.7 17.3 13.3 13.5 12.6 10.0
absorption (%)
Flexural
4.5 5.2 10.8 6.0 6.2 10.3 0.5 2.1 2.1 2.9 3.2 6.3
strength (Mpa)

Highlights
Alluvial clayey materials from semi-arid climate in Far North Cameroon were
evaluated for their use in ceramic bricks production.
Their mineralogical composition included quartz, k-feldspar, plagioclase, kaolinite,
illite, smectite and trace of anatase.
The alluvial clays were classified as medium plastic clays to low plastic clay.
After firing medium plastic clays provided good technological properties and
properties of low plastic clays were substantially improved by mixing them with other
samples.
 To Mora 141604 To Mora 142134

800 ang Adyia Ouro N

ogaz Massama
M
unt
Hodango Mo Ouro Sambada
Mogazang
104030 104030

400
Mount Boulor Kodek
Mambang 860 Gayak

To Guirvidig
Mozogo
Djarengol Kodek

MTchoffabani
MAROUA Kongola

To Yagoua
ay o
Mi
za o
Zaka 722
Kaliao Dougo
Cameroon

Dourga Palar
Maroua
al i ao
oK
M ay
103500 103500
Dakar
Madaka
a

Ngassa
g
na

Miskine
sa

703
oT
y
Ma

Hosr Makaba
141604 To Garoua To Mindif 142134
0 5km
Key
Study site Road

860 Spot height Gabbro

400 Contour line

Alluvial deposits
Mayo Kaliao
River

Fig. 1.
Vegetation

Reddish yellow sandy clay Gray alluvial Ligth yellowish

material with soil structure clay material brown clay material
280 cm 120 cm 110 cm
Sampling point
B
Alluvial sandy material Alluvial compact Alluvial clay material
sandy material
70 cm 30 cm 100 cm

Sampling point

Fig. 2.
A
 d=3.34 Q

d=3.24
(A) d=4.47 K-felds
Total clay

d= d=1.54
4.25Q d=3.18 Pla d=1.85 d=1.31
d=14.75 S Q Q
d=2.45 d=2.12 Q
d=1.67
d=7.17 K Q Q
Q

MA3

MA2

MA1

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
2 CuK1

d=15.45
Smectite d=9.95
d=15.45
Illite
Smectite
500
d=9.95 500 d=15.45
MA3
Illite 500
MA1 d=9.95 MA2 Smectite
Illite
d=7.16
Kaolinite
EG d=7.16
Kaolinite d=7.16
Kaolinite EG
EG
N
N
d=4.99 N d=4.99
d=4.99 Illite/smectite
Illite/smectite Illite/smectite

(B)

2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
2 CuK1 2 CuK1 2 CuK1

Fig. 3.
 1,8

1038
1,6

1,4

468
1,2

533
Ma1
1
Ma2
0,8

914
Absorbance

3434
3620

Ma3

693
3695

0,6

1630
0,4

0,2

-0,2
4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0
Wavenumber cm-1

Fig. 4.
 <2m
0 100

20 80
50
45 Ma1 Ma2 Ma3 Ma4
(A) 40

Plasticity limit Wp (%)

40 60
35
Accetable extrusion
30
III
60 40 25
Ma2
IV
Ma1
20 Optimun extrusion
II 15
80 20
10
I Ma3
5 Brick Pottery
100 0 0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
2-20m
0 20 40 60 80
>20m
100
(B) Plasticity index Ip (%)

70
Non Low Medium Highly
60 plastic plastic plastic plastic

Illite
50
Plastic index (%)

Montmorillonite
40
Kaolinite

30
Ma1

20 Ma2

Ma3
10
Chlorite Ma4
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
(c) Liquid limit (%)

Fig. 5.

Sample M1 Sample M2 Sample M3 Sample M4

 unfired unfired

Fig. 6.