Clinker which is the major constituent of Portland cement can be purchased from the world market or manufactured locally if the raw materials are available. Where it is manufactured locally, as in the second case, it is necessary to use a deposit of limestone and clay that meet the physical and chemical requirements for an efficient clinker. In this study, investigations were carried out for on the possibility of manufacturing clinker from limestone and clay found in the localities Bidzar and Figuil respectively, two localities in northern Cameroon. After the chemical analysis of raw materials, a mix consisting of 80% limestone and 20% clay was used and fired at 1450°C in a muffle furnace. The fired product (clinker) was chemically analyzed, and then its mineralogical composition was estimated by means of the Bogue’s formulas and performance indicators (hydraulic modulus, silica modulus, aluminoferric modulus, lime saturation index and lime saturation factor). The results show that it is possible to manufacture clinker with the raw materials used in this study. However, for better performance of the clinker, corrective additives such as sand and pozzolan are necessary to compensate the deficit of SiO₂ and the high presence of free lime in the mix.

Cameroon, Bidzar limestone, Figuil clay, Portland clinker, compatibility.