British Geological Survey. Technical report WG/93/1 (Mineralogy and Petrology Series). - Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), 1993. – 80 p.Kaolin is a commercial term used to describe white clay composed essentially of kaolinite, Al4Si4O10(OH)8. The term is typically used to refer to both the raw clay and the refined commercial product. This manual describes the laboratory assessment of 'non-plastic' kaolin (sometimes known as china clay); plastic kaolinitic clays (or ball clay) are dealt with elsewhere in this series of manuals. Although originally valued for use in the manufacture of whiteware ceramics, the principal use of kaolin is now in the filling and coating of paper. The mineral is also used to a lesser extent as a filler in paint, rubber and plastics, as well as in a wide range of other applications. Kaolins are distinguished from other clays by whiteness, and fine, controllable particle size. It is generally necessary to process kaolin from the crude state in order to optimise these highly commercial properties.
This manual is one of a series produced as part of the BGS/ODA R&D Project 'Minerals for Development'.
