Homemade Tiles Production as A Means of Resource Recovery and Value Addition for Clay at Ita-Amo Ado-Ekiti Residential Area

Abstract

As the demand for tiles is in the increase in the 2020s, local production of unglazed wall tiles is suggested as a leeway for the potters whose pots are suffering a decline in demand and the sources of raw materials keep shrinking by the day. In this study, clay excavated at Ita-amo, in Ado Local government area was investigated for homemade tiles production. The particle size distribution, the pH value, the wet to dry shrinkage, and the effect of grog addition on the workability of the clay were assessed. A die mold was constructed and sample tiles were produced using the uniaxial pressing method. The tiles were fired to 800 and 1000^oC. The porosity, surface hardness, and total shrinkage of fired pieces were examined. The result on particle size shows a bimodal size distribution, which is important for a good parking density. The wet to dry shrinkage is insignificant while that of fired dry to fired was within acceptable limits. The composition of a ratio of 80:20 of clay to grog was chosen for the production of samples. Samples fired up to 1000oC show qualities nearer to specification. Apart from the comparative lower surface hardness, the deviation from the values of the properties of existing quarry tiles is minimal. More investigation on how to improve surface hardness is required. Small-scale producers living in this area of abundant clay can take advantage of the cheap source of the material to stay in business.