Clay minerals are part of the phyllosilicate family and can be classified into four categories: kaolinites, illites, smectites, and vermiculites. They can hold or release water, turn into plastic, expand, and form crystals. The minerals are usually mixed with other forms of clay or crystal. They are used in various industries as fillers. Clay minerals can have a one to one or two to one ratio of silicate layers. Silicate is present in most sandy beaches and gives the sand its grainy, smooth softness.
Clay minerals are found in different soil types. They are considered part of the phyllosilicate family. There are four distinct categories of clay minerals. These categories include kaolinites, illites, smectites and vermiculites.
Clay minerals in the soil can take on a sandy look and feel. One of the properties of clay minerals, silicate, is present in most sandy beaches. It gives the sand its grainy, smooth softness. The color of most silicate-like soil tends to be tan, grayish or white, with some silicates taking on a pinkish hue.
Phyllosilicates tend to contain a large amount of water. This is one reason why beach sand starts to feel moist and cool when dug up. The water is in fact contained within the silicate sheets that make up the clay structure.
Some of the structural characteristics of clay minerals include the ability to hold or release water, turn into plastic, expand and form crystals. A clay mineral is usually not isolated in the natural environment. It will typically be mixed with some other form of clay or crystal, such as formica or quartz.
Depending on their exact mixes, clay minerals can fall into one of four major classifications. One such group is called kaolinites. These minerals consist of silicate and aluminum oxide or hydroxide. They are usually used in printing papers, plastics and paints as fillers.
A second group of minerals is called illite. Silicate and potassium come together in a unique composition to form illite. Clay minerals that fall into this group tend to be used as fillers.
Smectites are a group made up of layers of silicates and gibbsites. Some of the better known minerals in this group include talc and saponite. They are used as fillers, in personal hygiene powders and in porcelain.
The largest family of clay minerals is that of vermiculites, or chlorites. Many of the minerals in this group are not commonly known by name. Silicate is usually combined with iron, aluminum, magnesium or zinc. This group of minerals is not usually used to produce commercial materials.
Clays are also classified according to two different ratios. Minerals can be classified as having a one to one ratio or a two to one ratio. These ratios refer to the types of silicate layers present in the mineral structure, called tetrahedral and octahedral. A ratio of one to one indicates that the structure is composed of one of each type of layer, while a ratio of two to one indicates only one octahedral layer and two tetrahedral layers.
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