Physical and Chemical Analyses of Shabu Clay for Stoneware Ceramics Production

This is an experimental study that has ascertained the quality of a ceramic raw material discovered in economic value quantity in Nasarawa state, located in the middle belt region of Nigeria. Shabu settlement in the Lafia local government area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria, is the point of concern. This location has one of the largest deposits of secondary clay in the region. The advent of an art school at the Federal University of Lafia, where ceramics is offered as a course of study, has further brought this material of economic value to the limelight for use in ceramics production. For sustainable use in stoneware ceramics production and also in future industrial applications, it is necessary that Shabu clay be carried through the necessary physical and property tests to confirm what type of secondary clay it truly is in terms of chemical analysis, plasticity, shrinkage, throwing ability on the potter’s wheel and firing tests. Shabu clay was conducted through all the forgoing tests, and the findings indicate that Shabu clay contains basic oxides that are worthy of being a good working clay but have percentages of oxides that are not the same as any other clay. The plasticity test shows that the clay is plastic enough for good production processes that include hand building, throwing and slip casting. Shrinkage tests indicate higher than recommended shrinkage for good stoneware ceramics production, and as such, Shabu clay will need to be improved upon by adding Kaolin to the body to balance up the shrinkage rate. The throwing test conducted confirmed that Shabu clay had the required strength for throwing and withstood forming and pulling. Finally, Shabu clay, under two different firing tests of earthenware and stoneware temperatures, showed no sign of deforming and melting. This implies that the clay can conveniently be used for stoneware ceramics production.