High Alumina Clay
High alumina clay, commonly referred to as kaolin, is one of the most important industrial minerals in the world. It is primarily composed of the mineral kaolinite, is abundant in many parts of the world and is a critical ingredient in many industrial processes. As its name implies, high alumina clay is composed of high amounts of alumina, a silicate compound of aluminum and oxygen, which is often found in abundance in soils, igneous rocks and sedimentary rocks.
The main advantage of high alumina clay is its ability to form a hard and highly waterproof coating when exposed to heat and pressure. Due to this, it is used in the production of ceramics, porcelain and pottery as well as in the manufacture of paints and glazes. Its high melting point and low shrinkage makes it very useful in industrial processes such as brick making, cement production and tile manufacturing.
High alumina clay is also used as an abrasive in polishing and sanding. It is also used as a filler material in paints and plastics, as this material can absorb large amounts of moisture and also add strength and resilience to the materials which it is used as a filler in. High alumina clay also has excellent insulating properties and can be used as an electrical insulating material.
High alumina clay is extracted from mineral deposits known as kaolin beds. Kaolin beds are sedimentary rocks which often contain high amounts of alumina and other compounds typically found in clay such as silica, titanium dioxide and iron oxide. The production of high alumina clay begins with the mining of these deposits but the process does not end there.
High alumina clay requires further processing if it is going to be used in industrial applications. This process involves subjecting the material to mechanical and chemical processes in order to remove impurities, separate particles of different sizes and form a usable end-product. High alumina clay is then divided into two distinct groupings: calcined and non-calcined clay products.
Calcined clay is baked at high temperatures over lengthy periods in order to remove impurities, reduce the particle size and yield a usable end product. Non-calcined clay, however, is exposed to a variety of chemical treatments and industries such as paper making and rubber processing, or used in applications such as fertilizers, recreational surfaces and an additive in animal feed.
High alumina clay is an exceptionally versatile material that has numerous applications in industry. It has a wide range of uses and is essential to modern production processes. As a result, high alumina clay is one of the most valuable industrial minerals in the world and will continue to be so for many years to come.
