Production of alumino-silicate clay-bonded bagasse ash composite crucible by slip casting

This research work developed a new material for the production of crucible using alumino-silicate clay (Kankara) and bagasse ash. The bagasse ash serves as a source of graphite to the crucible, the clay was used to bind the materials together and to make the slip more plastic and the grog was used to strengthen the crucible. The physical properties such as the bulk density, porosity, crushing strength, thermal shock resistance and actual melting of aluminium with the crucible were determined. The results obtained showed that density, porosity, crushing strength and thermal shock resistance are within the recommendation standard. The developed crucible has a high stability to the contamination of crucible materials (Al₂O₃ and SiO₂) on the cast aluminium. Hence the developed crucible can be use in the melting of non-ferrous alloy of good microstructures.