Glaze Grade Ball Clay

Ball clay and china clay differ only in the degree of plasticity. China clay is less plastic than ball clay. Ball clay is a highly plastic variety of kaolin having high binding power, tensile strength and shrinkage. Ball clays are fine grained, highly plastic sedimentary clays, which fire to a light cream or near white colour. ball clays exhibit highly variable compositions and consist of a mixture, primarily of kaolinite, mica and quartz, with each contributing different properties to the clay. Ball clays are mainly used in the manufacture of ceramic white ware and are valued for their key properties of plasticity, unfired strength and their light-fired colour.

Ball clays would be ideal ceramic materials. However, in practical terms, they are employed to achieve the desired plasticity but minimized to reduce the detrimental effect on fired whiteness and drying properties. Ball clay is a binding agent and helps to enhance the plasticity, workability, and strength of a pre-fired ceramic body. Some are highly effective for their fluid and casting properties, particularly in the manufacture of sanitaryware. Ball clays are used in ceramic bodies because of their plastic nature combined with high firing temperature. Ball clays have very high dry and green strength and slow drying.

We have ball clay having good plasticity and flow properties with white firing colour. Best suited for Engobe preparations and sanitary ware.