Chinese clay, also known as kaolin or white clay, is a soft rock rich in kaolinite and aluminum silicates. It is found in warm, humid climates and is mainly used in the porcelain industry. The Chinese were the first to develop techniques for making porcelain from China clay. Kaolin is also used in paper manufacturing, medicine, cosmetics, and organic farming.
Chinese clay is a rock rich in kaolinite and belongs to the group of aluminum silicates. It is often called kaolin or white clay. Kaolin derives its name from the place where it was first discovered, in Kao-Lin, China. It is found abundantly in warm, humid climates, particularly in tropical rainforests. China clay is an industrial mineral that is mainly used in the porcelain industry, but also in combination with other raw materials in a wide range of applications.
Kaolin is a soft white clay composed mainly of fine particles combined in the form of platelets. Clay is the result of the alterations of the aluminum silicates present in rocks rich in feldspars, such as granite, under the action of atmospheric agents and hydrothermal processes. The process by which granite converts to a soft matrix found in kaolin deposits is called kaolinization.
Various aspects affect the final use of kaolin. The degree of crystallinity influences its brilliance, whiteness, opacity, resistance and viscosity, which determine its commercial interest. Chinese clay uses include art paper, ceramics, medicine, cosmetics, and food additives in toothpaste. It is the main component used in porcelain.
The Chinese were the first to develop techniques for making porcelain from China clay, during the 7th and 8th century AD In the 14th century, they were exporting it to Europe. The British developed techniques for making porcelain from China clay during the 18th century.
China clay has low plasticity, so it is generally used in conjunction with a range of additives, including bentonite and ball clay. Its value to the porcelain industry is that it retains its whiteness after firing. When fired at temperatures of approximately 2,372 degrees Fahrenheit (1300 degrees Celsius), this clay has about 12% shrinkage.
Other uses of kaolin include making smoking pipes in Asia and Europe. Kaolin is used in the manufacture of some types of paper to ensure gloss. It contains traces of uranium, so kaolin is a useful material in radiological dating. In organic farming, it is used in sprays that are intended to prevent insect damage.
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