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Kaolin (Kaolinite)

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For listing of Imerys Kaolin Products click here...

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Properties

Kaolin (china clay) is a hydrated aluminium silicate crystalline mineral (kaolinite) formed over many millions of years by the hydrothermal decomposition of granite rocks. Hydrous kaolin is characterised by its fine particle size, plate like or lamellar particle shape and chemical inertness.

Kaolin is named after the hill in China (Kao-Ling) where it was first mined, for many years before it’s discovery in Europe (Cornwall, England) in 1745 by William Cookworthy who was looking for a source of material to produce white chinawares.

 

Origin of Kaolin

 

Markets for Kaolin

Kaolin is now used in the ceramics, paper, paint, plastics, rubber, sealant, adhesive and chemicals industries.

 

Formulated into Paint, fine kaolin such as Supreme™ can act as a functional extender of TiO₂, reducing formulation cost and improving rheology. Coarser kaolins, Polwhite™ B & Polwhite™ E do not offer so much potential to extend TiO₂ but do enhance the dry film properties of primers and undercoats. Polsperse™ 10 offers paint makers the possibility to extend TiO₂ in solvent based gloss paints processed using high speed dissolvers rather than bead mills traditionally associated with this type of paint – cutting processing time and increasing efficiency.

 

Rubber formulations benefit from the use of fine kaolin, Supreme™ and Speswhite™, give semi-reinforcing properties and good barrier properties, particularly useful in automotive hose applications. The coarser kaolin, Polwhite™ E, can be used in flooring compounds to increase abrasion resistance as well as making the compound cheaper.

 

In sealants and adhesives, kaolin is used to modify rheological properties.

The Ultramarine Blue industry uses kaolin as a raw material for the synthesis of this important pigment, which is itself widely used in the Performance Minerals industries.

 

IMERYS is the world's largest producer of quality kaolin and has deposits and production plants in the UK, USA, Australia and Brazil. Such a wide range of quality kaolin reserves is unique.

 

Quick View
Mineralogy: Kaolinite with minor amounts of mica, quartz and feldspar or illmenite
Particle Shape: Platy, with typical aspect ratio of	20:1
Specific Gravity:	2.6
Refractive Index:	1.56
MOH Hardness:	2.5
Moisture: (max %)	1.5
pH:	5-7.5

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