The flow properties of a Nigerian clay has been examined. The results show that partial deflocculation of the clay slip for casting can be achieved by the addition of 0.14 wt% sodium carbonate without resorting to a mixture of sodium carbonate and sodium silicate. Weibull distribution has been used to predict the green strength of the crucibles. Cheap clay crucibles for melting aluminium have been produced by sintering the unfired clay crucibles at 1250 degrees C for one hour.