Ball Clay
Ball clay is a silicate clay rock of which kaolinite is the main constituent:
Al2Si2O5(OH)4.
Ball Clays are fine grained, highly plastic clays and are typically used in the manufacture of ceramic whiteware and sanitaryware. A rare mineral, Ball Clay is found in select places around the world. In India, the richest deposits are found in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
Properties
- Ball clays are kaolinitic clays that commonly consist of 20–80% kaolinite, 10–25% mica, 6–65% quartz, as well as organic matter.
- High plasticity
- Excellent workability
- High unfired strength
- Rheological stability
- Controlled residue
- Refractoriness
