The Effect of Sawdust on the Insulating Effect of Ikere Clay as Refractory Lining

Abstract

Refractories are sought in various industries for numerous uses. This discourse examines their necessary and compressive properties, their uses and their environment. It explores the possibility of using local clays for refractories after proper processes have been applied. The research further explores the effect of sawdust on the insulating effect of Ikere clay as refractory lining. The presence of air in these pores reduces the conductive capacity of the refractories and therefore increasing their insulating characteristics. Apart the use of sawdust to clay likewise other materials can be used such as rice husk, groundnut husk, and agricultural agro-waste. This effect was examined on the loss on ignition, thermal shock, compressive strength, bulk density, porosity, shrinkage, refractoriness, thermal conductivity of the clay. The various properties of the refractories were obtained and tested and their results discussed. An optimum one was chosen for each kind of heating environment there are (Ovens and Furnaces), and the final bricks were produced.