{"id":248957,"date":"2024-04-23T13:10:04","date_gmt":"2024-04-23T13:10:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/crystallineceramics.co.uk\/crystalline\/?p=248957"},"modified":"2026-06-28T16:07:55","modified_gmt":"2026-06-28T16:07:55","slug":"ball-clay-sieve-residue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/crystallineceramics.co.uk\/crystalline\/ball-clay-sieve-residue\/","title":{"rendered":"Ball Clay Sieve Residue"},"content":{"rendered":"\n[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]

\u00a0Ball clays are an important constituent of my custom porcelain bodies. They influence the throwing characteristcs and exert a powerful influence on crystal growth. They tend to be minimally refined whole sediments containing coarse particles that have no place in a refined porcelain body. I took a number of clays from England and one from the USA a passed them through a 34\u03bcm (400 mesh) sieve.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=”The Clays” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]

TWVA. A blend of Devon ball clays with medium plasticity. Low free silica content and carbonaceous.<\/p>\n

Hywite Superb (HWS). A blend of Devon ball clays with medium plasticity. Low free silica content and carbonaceous.<\/p>\n

Hyplas 71. A high plasticity Devon ball clay, high free silica and non-carbonaceous.<\/p>\n

HVAR. A low plasticity non-carbonacoue Devon clay with medium free silica.<\/p>\n

Puraflo AK. A medium plasticity Devon ball clay, low free silica and carbonaceous.<\/p>\n

TWVD. A medium plasticity non-carbonaceous Devon clay with medium free silica.<\/p>\n

KT#1-4. A blended Tennessee ball clay. Low plasticity, carbonaceous with intermediate silica.<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=”Test Method” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]

For each clay 1kg of dry powder was mixed with 1.5kg of water and blended to a uniform slip. This was passed through a 400 mesh screen and the residue collected, dried and weighed. Each sample was calcined at 1000\u00b0C and weighed again to establish LOI.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=”Results” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”600px” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ custom_css_free_form=”.ball-clay-residue-css-class{|| font-size: 14px;|| ||}||.ball-clay-residue-css-class th, .ball-clay-residue-css-class td||{|| text-align: center;|| background-color: transparent;||}||.ball-clay-residue-css-class thead th {|||| background-color: #ffffff; \/*background color *\/|| color: rgb(0,0,0); \/* Text Color *\/||||}||.ball-clay-residue-css-class td {|||| background-color: #404040; \/*background color *\/|| color: rgb(255,255,255); \/* Text Color *\/||||}||.ball-clay-residue-css-class th, .ball-clay-residue-css-class td {|||| border: 1px solid #afafaf;||||}||||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Clay<\/th>Residue [g]<\/th>Residue LOI [%]<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
TWVA<\/td>7.2<\/td>22<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
HWS<\/td>10.0<\/td>37<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hyplas 71<\/td>84.2<\/td>2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
HVAR<\/td>10.9<\/td>4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Puraflo AK<\/td>3.8<\/td>8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
TWVD<\/td>2.4<\/td>17<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
KT#1-4<\/td>25.2<\/td>2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n[\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/crystallineceramics.co.uk\/crystalline\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/BallClayResidue_Dry_900w.jpg” title_text=”BallClayResidue_Dry_900w” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]

Dry residue.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/crystallineceramics.co.uk\/crystalline\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/BallClayResidue_Calcined_900w.jpg” title_text=”BallClayResidue_Calcined_900w” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]

Calcined residue.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_heading title=”Notes” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]

Both the amount of residue and its loss on ignition vary widely. Batch to batch variations also occur and these results should be used with caution. The carbon content of Hywite superb and TWVA is clearly seen in the black residue, both turning to pale buff after calcining. Hyplas 71 has by far the most residue with very low LOI, the residue is a fine sand. In this test Puraflo AK left 3.8g on the sieve, the batch was from a 25kg bag obtained from Valentine Clays in 2016. A more recent batch from Potterycrafts in 2024 yeilded 20.2g of residue, so clearly there are large variations.\u00a0<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/crystallineceramics.co.uk\/crystalline\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/PurafloAK_sieve_900w.jpg” title_text=”PurafloAK_sieve_900w” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]

Residue from 1kg of Puraflo AK powder (2024, Potterycrafts) on a 400 mesh screen.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/crystallineceramics.co.uk\/crystalline\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/PurafloAK_residue.jpg” title_text=”PurafloAK_residue” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]

Closeup of the dried Puraflo AK residue.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/crystallineceramics.co.uk\/crystalline\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/BallClays.jpg” title_text=”BallClays” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]

Some useful data on ball and china clays. I’m not certain of the origin of this. I think it was produced by the now defunct English China Clays.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0Ball clays are an important constituent of my custom porcelain bodies. They influence the throwing characteristcs and exert a powerful influence on crystal growth. They tend to be minimally refined whole sediments containing coarse particles that have no place in a refined porcelain body. I took a number of clays from England and one from […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":250887,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[22,11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-248957","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-materials","category-technical-articles"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/crystallineceramics.co.uk\/crystalline\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/248957","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/crystallineceramics.co.uk\/crystalline\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/crystallineceramics.co.uk\/crystalline\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crystallineceramics.co.uk\/crystalline\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crystallineceramics.co.uk\/crystalline\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=248957"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/crystallineceramics.co.uk\/crystalline\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/248957\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":250888,"href":"https:\/\/crystallineceramics.co.uk\/crystalline\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/248957\/revisions\/250888"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crystallineceramics.co.uk\/crystalline\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/250887"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/crystallineceramics.co.uk\/crystalline\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=248957"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crystallineceramics.co.uk\/crystalline\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=248957"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crystallineceramics.co.uk\/crystalline\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=248957"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}