Ball Clay

Description

Ball clay is a prominent form of secondary clay characterized by exceptionally fine particle sizes, which grants the material superior plasticity compared to kaolin. The degree of plasticity within these clays varies significantly depending on specific particle dimensions. Mineralogically, ball clays frequently incorporate lignite, resulting in a characteristic grey appearance in their raw state. In terms of chemical composition, they typically contain higher concentrations of iron impurities than primary kaolins, which inhibits the development of pure white color in fired ceramic bodies. Despite these impurities, ball clays function as refractory materials, maintaining stability during high-temperature ceramic processing.