Mineralogical, Geochemical Characterization and Physicochemical Properties of Kaolinitic Clays of the Eastern Part of the Douala Sub-Basin, Cameroon, Central Africa

The sedimentary clays of the Douala sub-basin (Cameroon) were studied to determine their mineralogical composition and physicochemical properties boost potential suitability as materials for traditional ceramics eventually modern ceramics. These clayey are not widely used locally building little data available on these in field they relatively unknown. Three profiles from 3.9 7.4 m thickness order (X-ray diffraction, infrared), chemical fluorescence) (particle size, Atterberg limits, organic matter, cation exchange capacity hydrogen potential) properties. Globally, ten (10) clay samples analyzed highlight nature technological clays. Mineralogically, kaolinite (48.3–69.2 wt.%) quartz (20.5–41.2 most abundant minerals raw materials. They associated with a very small or moderate quantity illite, hematite, goethite, feldspar, gibbsite micas. Geochemically, had high silica (SiO2, 22.21–58.03%) alumina (Al2O3, 12.84–22.94%) contents, significant amount iron oxides (Fe2O3, 1.07–17.92%). Other (K2O, MgO, TiO2, Na2O, MnO, CaO P2O5) lower proportion. A level content explains kaolinitic results granulometric analysis showed following distribution: (26–99%) followed by silt (1–70%) sand (0–4%). This corresponds silty soils according Belgian textural classification diagram, plastic index (63.9%) characteristics. good candidates production terracotta building. study is therefore important any application this type various industrial fields.