Kaolin, a mineral formed from the erosion of aluminosilicates, is used in pottery, papermaking, paint manufacturing, cosmetics, and medical applications. It is also a source of porcelain and is found worldwide.
Kaolin is the common name for the mineral kaolinite, a chalky aluminosilicate mineral formed by the erosion of harder aluminosilicates such as feldspar. It is also known as kaolin and is the main source of most modern porcelain. It can be white or shaded with pink or rust tones depending on the impurities present. It is named after a city in China near which the ore is found and is a very common ore that is mined in many areas of the world. This versatile mineral is found in many industries and some of kaolin’s uses, other than clay for pottery and porcelain, are papermaking, paint manufacturing and cosmetics.
Pottery making has historically been among the primary uses of kaolin, which is still the primary component of most ceramic products, including stoneware and porcelain. Pure white kaolin is particularly popular for these products due to its colour, although natural colored kaolin is also used. Another of kaolin’s uses is in the manufacture of specialty ceramic products called refractories, which are used in the manufacture of kilns and kilns and to line kilns in foundries.
In modern times, papermaking has become one of the major uses of kaolin. Kaolin is infused into paper products to improve their whiteness, opacity, and ink-holding ability. It also improves the print quality and makes the paper finish smoother. Many glossy papers contain a significant amount of kaolin, which can be infused into the paper with special adhesives. Many types of paper can contain up to 70% kaolin by weight, and most of the kaolin produced worldwide is used by the paper industry.
Many other industries also use kaolin. The mineral is used to supplement titanium oxide as a white colorant in many products. It is used in some paints, inks and pigments, particularly in white shades. Kaolin is also used in some types of rubber, which benefits from increased toughness and wear resistance. Some types of Portland cement and mortar also contain kaolin, which improves these materials’ ability to absorb moisture evenly.
Medical applications are another traditional and ongoing use of kaolin. It has been used for centuries as a remedy for diarrhea and nausea, and some modern products continue to use it as an ingredient. Kaolin-infused gauze, which has a greatly enhanced ability to stop blood flow from wounds, was recently developed by the United States Naval Medical Research Institute.
Kaolin is also used as an ingredient in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and foods, particularly in products such as toothpaste. It can also be used in organic farming, both to repel insects and to prevent sun damage.
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