Ball Clay

What is Ball Clay?

Ball clay is a type of clay distinguished by its high plasticity, a characteristic that sets it apart from china clay, though it doesn’t achieve the same level of whiteness.

Primarily composed of kaolinite, like china clay, ball clay also contains varying amounts of other minerals such as mica, quartz, and organic matter, which contribute to its darker color.

Key Properties of Ball Clay

This exceptional plasticity, resulting from its fine particle size and organic content, allows it to be easily molded and shaped without cracking, a crucial property for creating intricate ceramic designs.

Ball clay also boasts high dry strength, meaning it maintains its shape well before firing, which is important for handling and processing.

While its fired color is lighter than its raw state, typically ranging from light gray to buff, it doesn’t reach the whiteness of china clay and exhibits higher firing shrinkage, a factor considered in ceramic formulations.

Name of Test	Result
Shrinkage %	17.77
Loss On Ignition %	16.77
Green M.O.R kg/cm² %	4.85
Dry M.O.R kg/cm² %	27.56
Fired M.O.R kg/cm² %	84.79
Water Absorption %	13.64
Water of Plasticity %	44.35
T.D.S	1350
Residue on 240 #	3.99
L*	72.98
a*	1.28
b*	19.87
Whiteness	35.44
Temperature °C	1200 / 1200
Cycle (Min)	47