Spread of clay. Rock deposits Clay

Treatment with clay in terms of impact on the body is similar to mud therapy. As well as mud, therapeutic clay has a beneficial effect on the body. The use of clay in medicine and modern cosmetology is quite widespread, this method of thermal exposure has very few contraindications and is recommended in the treatment of skin diseases such as seborrhea, psoriasis, etc.

What is clay and clay treatment

It is worth starting a story about the healing properties of clay and its use with an explanation of what clay and clay treatment in medicine are.

Clay (Diatomaceus Earth, Argilla) is a plastic sedimentary rock. Clays are a product of the chemical destruction of rocks and differ in quantitative composition and color, the ability to form a pasty, easily stirred mass, which can be given any shape. With a significant liquefaction, the clay loses its plasticity and spreads. The main part of the clay is a colloidal hydrate of silica and alumina, which determines its basic physical properties, including poor heat capacity and thermal conductivity.

cosmetic clay- These are mineral substances of natural origin, with significant plasticity, used for cosmetic procedures. Rich in biologically active substances and (magnesium, barium, beryllium, gallium, copper, cobalt, molybdenum, etc.).

Clay treatment is a method of thermal influence based on the use of heated therapeutic clay.

The healing properties of clay are used as one of the methods of natural healing of the body. Clays treat more than 30 diseases and about 70 - in combination with medicinal plants, vegetables and fruits.

In medicine, cosmetic clay is used only purified, discolored and finely dispersed. Often they use white or Chinese clay (kaolin), dispersion, etc. They are characterized by high hygroscopicity, plasticity, as well as stimulating and antiseptic efficiency, they are used in cosmetic masks, powder, hygienic talc.

What types of clays are there, their properties and indications for use

There are many different types of clays, differing in density, plasticity, color, mineral and organic compositions. What types of clays are there and how are they used?

Different categories of clays - liquid, plastic, greasy, low-plastic - have completely different applications. Refractory clays, including faience and kaolin, and fusible clays are also distinguished. The color of clay depends on its mineral composition (presence of iron, copper). There are white, green, blue, pink and red clays. When deciding which clay to choose, keep in mind that white and green clays are most often used in cosmetology.

The main minerals that make up cosmetic clays are quartz, mica, etc.

Look at the photo: The composition of medicinal clays depends on their place of origin. In Bulgaria, in the Rhodope Mountains, blue clay is mined. The population of the Crimea and Transcaucasia uses local clays "kil", "gilyabi", "gumbrin". In the north-west of Russia, the so-called Glukhovets kaolin and Pulkovo clay are mined. In the Urals, the Kamyshlovskoye deposit of greenish-gray clay is known.

Moroccan clay mined in the mountains adjacent to the Sahara. It is red-brown in color, has healing properties and is effective for burns, and its deposits belong to very rich sheikhs.

green clay colored with iron oxide. It also contains magnesium, calcium, potash, manganese, phosphorus, zinc, aluminum, copper, cobalt, molybdenum. This type of healing clay is used in cosmetics mainly for oily skin and hair - anti-dandruff, pH = 7. It contains about 50% silicon dioxide, 13% aluminum and 15% other minerals: silver, copper, gold, heavy metals.

Silicon has a positive effect on the epidermis, gives flexibility to blood vessels, stimulates hair growth, lipid metabolism, the formation of collagen, bone tissue. Aluminum has drying and astringent properties.

red clay has its color due to the combination of iron oxide and copper. It is a less good adsorbent than green clay. Used for iron deficiency in the body. It is not very suitable as a base for masks, as it gives the skin a reddish tint.

pink clay contains red and white clay in various proportions. It contains trace elements, has a disinfecting and smoothing effect on the skin. Since pink clay is very soft, it is recommended for delicate care of the epidermis. Used as a smoothing and astringent mask and in shampoos for normal hair.

See how the types of clay look in the photo - external differences, mainly in its color and structure:

Healing properties of white and blue clay

White clay (kaolin, chinese clay) is a traditional raw material component in the manufacture of cosmetics. Purity, whiteness, non-abrasive nature and harmlessness make this mineral a valuable ingredient in cosmetology. In pharmacy, it is used in the form of powders, ointments, pastes, as well as for diaper rash and burns, and is part of cleansing masks. An indication for the use of clay may be acne. In addition, clay for medicinal purposes:

cleanses the epidermis;
has an antiseptic and regenerating surface effect;
stimulates the body's defenses, having a special effect on the epidermis exposed to environmental pollution;
saturates the epidermis with minerals;
prevents the spread of microbes due to its ability to absorb toxins and pollution;
has enveloping and adsorbing properties;
facilitates cellular regeneration by stimulating metabolism.

It has a structure similar to green clay, and differs from it in the presence of trace elements. It has pH = 5 and can therefore be used even for sensitive skin.

The healing properties of white clay are due to the high percentage of aluminum and silicon with an admixture of magnesium and calcium silicates. It is used in masks, milk and shampoos for dry hair and in children's cosmetics.

Medicinal blue clay is mined in the Rhodope Mountains (Bulgaria). It is a powdery mass with pH = 7.3, contains a large amount of copper and chromium, salts, which give it a bluish tint. Recommended in its pure form (when mixed with water) for use in the form of masks for hair and skin of the face and body. When deciding which cosmetic clay to choose, keep in mind that blue clay softens and tones the skin, cleanses acne, whitens, smoothes wrinkles, has a beneficial effect on oily hair, and has anti-cellulite, antibacterial and anti-stress effects. It has a good effect on dehydrated, sluggish, atopic skin.

For cosmetic purposes, kaolin is most often used.

Clay is everywhere, it is very easy to recognize, it is thin and dense. It can be found in places where the earth cracks: in quarries, near brick factories. Even in the garden, sometimes it is enough to dig one meter deep into the earth to find good clay. For cosmetic purposes and internal use, clay should only be purchased at a pharmacy. There it is of the required quality and undergoes radiation control. In addition, pharmacists will tell you in detail about the types of clay, its properties and applications, as well as advise which clay is right for your skin.

What clay is healing and how to prepare it

Knowing what clay is healing, you need to decide for what purpose it can be used. For external use, the most preferred clay, which has the best healing properties, is suitable for modeling. It is used in the manufacture of bricks and ceramic products. The purer it is, the more powerful the effect.

For external use, in cases of urgent treatment, and also if it is impossible to immediately obtain the desired clay, you can use the earth similar to it (loam). The loam must be clean. But still it is more expedient to use clay, since it has a stronger healing effect. Any clay mined in an ecologically unfavorable area must be tested for radioactivity.

The easiest way to prepare clay is as follows. Take good clay and lay it out to dry in the sun. If the clay is not dried enough, it will not dissolve easily in water. If there is little sun, then clay should be placed near a stove, heater, or any source of heat or light.

Before using clay, clean it of various particles, pebbles, roots and other foreign matter. Pour the clay into a basin or other enamelled, wooden, or fired earthenware vessel. Dishes with chipped enamel will not work.

Pour the clay with fresh clean water so that it is completely covered. Let stand for several hours so that the clay gains moisture, stir, crush hard lumps with your hands or a wooden spatula. Do not use a metal tool - it can adversely affect the cooked mass. It should be homogeneous in composition, without lumps, should resemble mastic prepared by craftsmen for modeling.

This mass is ready for use. If necessary, slightly dilute the solution with water so that the mass is in the desired consistency, always ready for use. So it can be stored indefinitely.

The effect of clay on the skin and the body as a whole

The effect of clay on the body consists mainly of three components: thermal; mechanical; chemical.

The clay mass of the required temperature, in contact with the skin, heats it up, followed by a significant expansion of the peripheral vessels. Hyperemia has an analgesic effect, promotes the resorption of inflammatory elements, enhances tissue nutrition and metabolism, and also has an antispasmodic effect. Sweating, often profuse, is of great importance in a number of diseases. Simultaneously with sweat, some metabolic products, such as uric acid, as well as various kinds of toxins, are excreted from the body. Thus, clay heated to a fairly high temperature is a strong thermal procedure. The basis of the thermal reaction during clay treatment is the activation of body cells, which is accompanied by the stimulation of biochemical processes.

mechanical action manifests itself in the pressure of the mass of clay on the skin, perceived by the body as an irritant, to the action of which, depending on its quality, quantity and strength, the body responds with an active reaction, accompanied by a number of changes in its functions.

Chemical action clay on the skin is due to the chemical composition of the clay containing salts of various elements, oxides of iron, calcium, magnesium, silicon, as well as sulfuric anhydride, carbon dioxide and organic substances, which to a certain extent irritate the skin.

Clay for medicinal purposes and contraindications to clay treatment

In terms of its effect on the body, clay treatment is close to mud therapy. Therefore, contraindications to clay treatment and mud therapy are common: diseases of the cardiovascular system, thyroid gland, tuberculosis.

Indications for the use of clays for therapeutic purposes are inflammatory or traumatic processes of a chronic nature: poorly healing fractures, bruises, inflammatory skin diseases.

In cosmetology, medicinal clays are widely used in wraps for the prevention and treatment of cellulite, seborrhea, hair loss, psoriasis, in masks and shampoos.

Clay treatment: lotions, compresses and baths with clay water at home

Clay treatments include:

lotions from clay;
clay compresses (wraps or dressings);
baths with clay (clay water).

In order to prepare lotions, you need to take a linen, cotton or woolen fabric, you can use any canvas or napkin. Fold it in half, four times or more - to the desired thickness, put the fabric on a table or flat surface. With a wooden spatula, remove the mass from the vessel and spread it on a napkin. The layer of clay should be wider than the sore spot, 2-3 cm thick.

Wipe the affected area with a damp cloth. If it is an ulcer, then wash it with fresh warm water. Apply the prepared lotion directly to the sore spot and make sure that it fits snugly. Tie the lotion with a bandage so that it does not move and is constantly in contact with it. Fasten the bandage, cover everything with woolen cloth. Do not tighten the bandage tightly to avoid circulatory disorders.

Usually a lotion of clay should be left on the sore spot for 2-3 hours. If it becomes dry and hot, it should be replaced with a new one.

To remove the lotion, you must first remove the upper woolen cloth, then unbandage the bandage and remove the clay in one motion, trying not to leave pieces of it on the sore spot. Rinse the affected area with warm water. Do not reuse used clay.

The number of procedures depends on the specific case and on the condition of the patient. As a rule, 2-3 lotions per day are enough, but you can put more: one after the other day and night. After complete recovery, you need to continue the procedure for some more time.

You should never put lotions on the chest and stomach during and immediately after eating, but only after 1-1.5 hours. You can put it on other parts of the body at any time. In this case, you can put 2 or 3 lotions at the same time on different parts of the body.

When it is difficult to apply a lotion (for example, on the eyes, ears, etc.), wraps (compresses) can be done. To do this, it is necessary to wet the canvas in a semi-liquid clay mass so that it is thoroughly saturated, apply the fabric to the diseased part of the body and cover it with a woolen blanket. Clay-impregnated canvas must be changed frequently. Such procedures use and, if necessary, expose a large surface of the skin to the clay.

Partial (incomplete) and full baths in clay water play an important role in the treatment of skin diseases - they are very useful. To take a bath with clay at home, hold the upper part of the hands, soles of the feet or hands completely in a vessel filled with a very thin solution of clay for about 20 minutes. This solution can be used 2 or 3 times.

For pain in the arms and legs after frostbite, it is better to use limb baths. For this method of treatment with clay water, you can use a basin with a clay solution, which has previously stood in the sun.

Full baths are taken outside. To do this, you need to make a fairly large round hole in the ground, fill it with water and good clay. Mix the clay with water well to get a light liquid mass.

Outdoors, this can only be done during the warm season. In cool weather, baths are made with warm water, without renewing the clay, 6-7 times (2 times a week).

After the bath, you should go to bed, cover yourself and drink a hot infusion of herbs.

Bath time- from 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the specific case and the tolerance of the procedure by the patient.

What diseases does clay treat: psoriasis, seborrhea, baldness

And what diseases does clay treat and how to use it for burns?

Clays can be used for medicinal purposes in the following skin diseases:

Psoriasis. Clay should be mixed with coarse salt (at a ratio of 1:1) and the resulting mixture should be applied to the affected areas of the skin for 1-2 hours once a day. It is better to use clay diluted with vinegar in a ratio of 1: 3.

Seborrhea (oily skin). For oily hair - wash your hair with clay water, for oily skin, you need to make a mask.

Baldness. Rub the head 3 times a day with a mixture of crushed garlic, onion juice and clay water.

Burns. Put clay lotions up to 3-4 cm thick on gauze, apply to the burn surface. Change lozenges every 2 hours until epithelization. After that, apply 3-4 compresses per day to the burn area and keep for 2 hours.

Clay can be used to remove radionuclides from the body: as a strong adsorbent, it actively absorbs various toxic substances, including radioactive ones.

Clay treatment of skin diseases and cosmetic imperfections

The widespread use of clay for skin diseases and to get rid of cosmetic imperfections has been practiced since ancient times. Various kinds of creams were made from it, compresses were made on the face, hands and other parts of the body. And of course, clay treatment of skin diseases was carried out with the help of various cleansing and tonic baths.

Of particular interest is the question of the correct application of clays. There are commercially available clays that are suggested to be used by mixing the powder and water immediately before use, and then applying the resulting mixture to the skin or hair. At the same time, clay-based masks are also on the market, where one or another type of clay is part of the emulsion base in an amount of 10-40 percent. The choice of the type of clay depends on the problem being solved, and also largely on the condition of the skin.

Clay refers to secondary rocks that were formed as a result of the weathering of rock masses during the evolutionary process. Clay is more often than other materials used as a building material. The composition of clay is very complex and variable. In its pure form, clay contains practically no impurities. The diameter of its particles does not exceed 0.01 mm, as a rule, clay is plastic. The composition of all varieties of clay includes chemically bound water, it is held in the form of the thinnest films between the particles of clay material.

The composition of the clay includes silicon and aluminum components. The most common impurities are iron hydroxide, alkaline earth metal oxides, quartz, and iron sulfide. Rocks with a high alumina content are used to produce refractory materials; the alumina content in such rocks ranges from 25 to 30%.

When all types of clays get wet, water fills the gaps between the particles, as a result of which they easily move relative to each other. This property determines the plasticity of clay materials.

Clay material is widely distributed in nature. Clays are divided into subgroups depending on the mineral composition and particle diameter, the presence of certain impurities. There are such types of clay:

red,
white,
sandy,
clay for porcelain
kaolin.

The granulometry of certain types of materials depends on the mineral components and chemical composition. Almost all varieties of this unique fossil are characterized by plasticity, adsorption, and swelling. When wet, shrinkage, swelling are characteristic, these properties are decisive when using the material in industry.

By industrial technical requirements The rock is divided into varieties:

fusible,
refractory
adsorption,
kaolin.

Soaked clay becomes plastic, it is able to take almost any shape.

Plastic masses are called "fatty", as they are perceived as a fatty material to the touch. Varieties of clay with a low degree of plasticity are called "skinny" or lean. Products made from such materials quickly crumble; "skinny" clay is not suitable for the production of bricks.

Dried clay keeps well the shape it was given, while it slightly decreases in volume, compacts, hardens and becomes as strong as a stone. Due to these properties, clay has long been considered the most widely used material for the manufacture of dishes and other household items.
Among other things, this breed has such an ability as stickiness.
Having absorbed a certain amount of moisture, the material no longer passes water, this property determines the water resistance of the material.
Another property of clay is its opacity. Due to this property, clay has long been used to cover the walls of buildings and furnaces.
The sorption capacity of the material allows the use of clay as a cleaner for fats and oil refining products.

All of the above properties provide a long service life for items made from clay.

Types of clay and their origin

By origin, clay materials are divided into subgroups.

Sedimentary clays. They are formed as a result of the application of destroyed rock layers by water flows. These materials are divided into marine and continental. By the name of the first, it is clear that clay is formed on the seabed, in the second case, the formation occurs on the continents, in the bottom sediments of rivers and lakes.

Under natural conditions, this variety has a brown tint, it is given to the material by iron-containing compounds - ferrum oxides, which are contained in clay in an amount of 5 to 9%. These are usually sedimentary clays. They are formed as a result of water application of destroyed rock layers.

During the firing process, red clay turns red or white, depending on the process conditions and the type of firing equipment. This variety can withstand heating up to 1100 degrees.

This grade of clay is plastic, well kneaded. The high elasticity of the material determines its use as a material for sculptural modeling.

Natural resources are found everywhere. Often they accumulate in marine or freshwater lagoons. In the case of sea bays, clay is a heterogeneous mass, has numerous impurities.

When wet, the clay acquires a light gray tint, as a result of the firing process, it turns into a beautiful white material. This type of clay is inherently elastic.
Due to the absence of iron compounds, white clay is slightly translucent. It is widely used for the production of household items, dishes, jugs, decorative figurines. In addition, the material is used in the manufacture of tiles and sanitary ware.
Objects made of this clay are covered with glaze, kept in ovens at 900-950 degrees.

Porous mass for the production of ceramics

The raw material is a clay material with low calcium content and high porosity.

This clay is composed of kaolinite, illite, and other aluminosilicates, as well as inclusions of sand and carbonates. Silica and alumina are the basis of clay minerals.
The porous mass refers to the sedimentary types of clay. It is formed as a result of water application of destroyed rock layers.
The natural color of such clay ranges from white to brown. There are also greenish clays. The material is fired at low temperatures.

Majolica

This is a fusible variety of clay material, which contains a large amount of white alumina. The raw material is fired at a low temperature. Majolica is glazed with special mixtures containing tin compounds.

The word "majolica" comes from the name of the island of Mallorca, where this material was first used. Majolica was widely used in Italy. Traditionally, majolica objects are called earthenware, because for the first time they began to be produced in special departments for the manufacture of faience.

Fireplace clay mass

The composition of this rock includes quartz, a significant amount of feldspar and fireclay. By origin, these are shelf rocks. They are formed at a depth of about two hundred meters. A prerequisite is the absence of any kind of currents.

Black material. After firing, the mass resembles ivory products in color. Thanks to the use of glaze, products made from raw materials become extremely durable and have high water resistance.

This raw material is a caked mass. It is fired at a temperature of 1100 - 1300 degrees. The firing process is carried out under careful supervision in compliance with technological rules, otherwise clay products may crumble.

Stone ceramic mass is used for modeling, for the manufacture of various ceramic objects. Products made from this material are very beautiful. Stoneware has unique technical properties.

The composition of raw materials includes feldspar, a significant amount of quartz and kaolin. This type of clay does not contain iron impurities.

When wetted with water, the mass acquires a gray tint, and after the firing process it becomes perfectly white. The material is fired in furnaces at a temperature of 1300 - 1400 degrees. This raw material is very elastic.

It is not recommended to use this variety for work on potter's wheels. The material is very dense, practically without pores, water absorption is very low. Burnt material becomes transparent. Objects made of porcelain clay material are covered with various glazes.

Materials for coarse ceramics

Coarsely porous clay is used for the production of dimensional objects, often used in construction. Products of the material are characterized by high heat resistance, they perfectly withstand temperature fluctuations.

The plastic properties of raw materials depend on the presence of quartz and aluminum in the compound. The characteristic features of the material are due to the presence of a significant content of chamotte and alumina.

The material belongs to refractory varieties. Melting point - 1400 1600 degrees. Coarse ceramic material is perfectly sintered, it practically does not shrink. These properties determine its use for the production of dimensional objects, as well as large panels and mosaics.

Montmorillonite clay

The raw material is used as a bleach in the purification of tent syrups, in brewing, in the production of juice and refined oils. This material improves the quality of finished products, in addition, this type of clay is used as a means to control rodents and insects.

adsorption clay

A characteristic feature is high binding properties, a high degree of catalysis. The most common adsorption clay is bentonite.

Colored clay materials

Multi-colored clay is a material that contains oxides of metal elements or pigments, and is a homogeneous mixture.

When pigments penetrate into the thickness of the material, some of them remain in suspension, while the uniformity of the tone of the raw material is disturbed.
Natural pigments give the clay a particular shade, they are divided into two categories: oxides of metallic elements and the actual coloring matter.
Oxides are natural components of natural origin, formed in the thickness of the earth's crust. These substances are subjected to purification and fine grinding. To give clay a particular color, copper oxide is most often used. This substance in the process of firing as a result of the oxidation process acquires a greenish tint.
To give the material a blue tint, oxygen-containing cobalt compounds are used. Chromium compounds provide the color of olives, while magnesium and nickel compounds provide brown and gray, respectively.
Coloring components are added to the raw material in an amount of 1 to 5%. Higher pigment content may result in undesirable effects during the firing process.

Scope of application

Clay is actively used in construction for the manufacture of bricks and ceramic products. It has undeniable advantages, as well as a relatively low cost. The advantages of this raw material include heat resistance, adsorption properties, environmental friendliness, breathability.

Clay- this is a fine-grained sedimentary rock, dusty in a dry state, plastic when moistened.

Origin of clay.

Clay is a secondary product formed as a result of the destruction of rocks in the process of weathering. The main source of clayey formations are feldspars, the destruction of which under the influence of atmospheric agents forms silicates of the group of clay minerals. Some clays are formed from the local accumulation of these minerals, but most of them are sediments of water streams that accumulate on the bottom of lakes and seas.

In general, by origin and composition, all clays are divided into:

- sedimentary clays, formed as a result of the transfer to another place and the deposition there of clay and other products of the weathering crust. By origin, sedimentary clays are divided into marine clays deposited on the seabed and continental clays formed on the mainland.

Among marine clays, there are:

coastal- are formed in coastal zones (zones of resuspension) of the seas, open bays, river deltas. Often characterized by unsorted material. Quickly transition to sandy and coarse-grained varieties. Replaced along strike by sandy and carbonate deposits. Such clays are usually interbedded with sandstones, siltstones, coal seams, and carbonate rocks.
Lagoon- are formed in sea lagoons, semi-enclosed with a high concentration of salts or desalinated. In the first case, clays are heterogeneous in granulometric composition, are not sufficiently sorted, and wind up together with gypsum or salts. The clays of desalinated lagoons are usually fine-dispersed, thin-layered, contain inclusions of calcite, siderite, iron sulfides, etc. Among these clays there are refractory varieties.
Offshore- are formed at a depth of up to 200 m in the absence of currents. They are characterized by a uniform granulometric composition, high thickness (up to 100 m and more). Distributed over a large area.

Among the continental clays are:

Deluvial- are characterized by a mixed granulometric composition, its sharp variability and irregular bedding (sometimes absent).
Lake with a uniform granulometric composition and finely dispersed. All clay minerals are present in such clays, but kaolinite and hydromicas, as well as minerals of hydrous Fe and Al oxides, predominate in the clays of freshwater lakes, while minerals of the montmorillonite group and carbonates predominate in the clays of salt lakes. The best varieties of refractory clays belong to lake clays.
Proluvial formed by time streams. Very poor sorting.
River- developed in river terraces, especially in the floodplain. Usually poorly sorted. They quickly turn into sands and pebbles, most often unstratified.

Residual - clays resulting from the weathering of various rocks on land, and in the sea as a result of changes in lavas, their ashes and tuffs. Down the section, the residual clays gradually pass into the parent rocks. The granulometric composition of residual clays is variable - from finely dispersed varieties in the upper part of the deposit to uneven-grained ones in the lower part. Residual clays formed from acidic massive rocks are not plastic or have little plasticity; more plastic are clays that have arisen during the destruction of sedimentary clayey rocks. Continental residual clays include kaolins and other eluvial clays. AT Russian Federation widespread, in addition to modern, ancient residual clay - in the Urals, in the West. and Vost. Siberia, (there are also many of them in Ukraine) - of great practical importance. In the areas mentioned above, mainly montmorillonite, nontronite, etc. clays appear on the basic rocks, and kaolins and hydromicaceous clays appear on the intermediate and acidic ones. Marine residual clays form a group of bleaching clays composed of minerals of the montmorillonite group.

Clay is everywhere. Not in the sense - in every apartment and a plate of borscht, but in any country. And if there is not enough diamonds, yellow metal or black gold in some places, then there is enough clay everywhere. Which, in general, is not surprising - clay, sedimentary rock, is a stone worn by time and external influence to the state of powder. The last stage of stone evolution. Stone-sand-clay. However, the last one? And sand can be deposited into stone - golden and soft sandstone, and clay can become brick. Or a person. Who's lucky.

Clay is colored by the stone-creator and salts of iron, aluminum and similar minerals that are nearby. Various organisms multiply, live and die in clay. This is how red, yellow, blue, green, pink and other colored clays are obtained.

Previously, clay was mined along the banks of rivers and lakes. Or dug a hole specifically for it. Then it turned out to be possible not to dig clay on your own, but to buy it from a potter, for example. During our childhood, ordinary, red clay was dug out by ourselves, and noble white clay was bought in shops for artists or, especially pure, in a pharmacy. Now in the nigga little shop selling cosmetics, there is certainly clay. True, not quite in its pure form, but mixed with various detergents, moisturizers and nutrients.

Our land is rich in clay. Roads and paths pierced in loamy soil in the heat become sources of dust, and in slush - solid mud. Clay dust covered the traveler from head to toe and added domestic work to the housewives, whose house stood by the road. Surprisingly, near the roads, dressed in asphalt, the dust did not decrease. True, from red, he became black. Ledum, densely mixed with clay, not only interferes with walking a pedestrian and driving a wheel, but also does not mind swallowing a boot or a jeep if you are in the mood.

Clay consists of one or more minerals of the kaolinite group (derived from the name of the locality Kaolin in the People's Republic of China (PRC)), montmorillonite, or other layered aluminosilicates (clay minerals), but may contain both sand and carbonate particles. As a rule, the rock-forming mineral in clay is kaolinite, its composition is 47% silicon (IV) oxide (SiO 2), 39% aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3) and 14% water (H 2 0). Al2O3 and SiO2- make up a significant part of the chemical composition of clay-forming minerals.

Clay particle diameter less than 0.005 mm; rocks consisting of larger particles are commonly classified as loess. Most of the clays are gray, but there are clays of white, red, yellow, brown, blue, green, purple and even black. The color is due to impurities of ions - chromophores, mainly iron in valence 3 (red, yellow) or 2 (green, bluish).

Dry clay absorbs water well, but when wet it becomes waterproof. After kneading and mixing, it acquires the ability to take on various forms and retain them after drying. This property is called plasticity. In addition, clay has a binding ability: with powdery solids (sand) it gives a homogeneous "dough", which also has plasticity, but to a lesser extent. Obviously, the more sand or water impurities in the clay, the lower the plasticity of the mixture.

By the nature of the clay are divided into "fatty" and "skinny".

Clays with high plasticity are called "fatty" because when soaked they give a tactile sensation of a fatty substance. "Fatty" clay is shiny and slippery to the touch (if you take such clay on your teeth, it slides), contains few impurities. The dough "made from it is tender. A brick made of such clay cracks during drying and firing, and in order to avoid this, the so-called" lean "substances are added to the batch: sand," skinny "clay, burnt brick, pottery battle, sawdust and other

Clays with low plasticity or non-plasticity are called "skinny". They are rough to the touch, with a matte surface, and when rubbed with a finger, they easily crumble, separating earthy dust particles. "Skinny" clays contain a lot of impurities (they crunch on the teeth), when cut with a knife they do not give shavings. Brick made of "skinny" clay is fragile and crumbly.

An important property of clay is its relation to firing and, in general, to elevated temperature: if clay soaked in air hardens, dries and is easily rubbed into powder without undergoing any internal changes, then at high temperature chemical processes occur and the composition of the substance changes.

Clay melts at very high temperatures. The melting temperature (the beginning of melting) characterizes the fire resistance of clay, which is not the same for its various varieties. Rare varieties of clay require colossal heat for firing - up to 2000 ° C, which is difficult to obtain even in factory conditions. In this case, it becomes necessary to reduce the fire resistance. Reflow temperature can be reduced by introducing additives of the following substances (up to 1% by weight): magnesia, iron oxide, lime. Such additives are called fluxes (fluxes).

The color of clays is varied: light gray, bluish, yellow, white, reddish, brown with various shades.

Minerals contained in clays:

Kaolinite (Al2O3 2SiO2 2H2O)
Andalusite, disthene and sillimanite (Al2O3 SiO2)
Halloysite (Al2O3 SiO2 H2O)
Hydrargillite (Al2O3 3H2O)
Diaspore (Al2O3 H2O)
Corundum (Al2O3)
Monothermite (0.20 Al2O3 2SiO2 1.5H2O)
Montmorillonite (MgO Al2O3 3SiO2 1.5H2O)
Muscovite (K2O Al2O3 6SiO2 2H2O)
Narkit (Al2O3 SiO2 2H2O)
Pyrophyllite (Al2O3 4SiO2 H2O)

Minerals contaminating clays and kaolins:

Quartz(SiO2)
gypsum (CaSO4 2H2O)
dolomite (MgO CaO CO2)
Calcite (CaO CO2)
Glauconite (K2O Fe2O3 4SiO2 10H2O)
Limonite (Fe2O3 3H2O)
Magnetite (FeO Fe2O3)
Marcasite (FeS2)
Pyrite (FeS2)
Rutile (TiO2)
Serpentine (3MgO 2SiO2 2H2O)
Siderite (FeO CO2)

Clay appeared on earth many thousands of years ago. Its "parents" are rock-forming minerals known in geology - kaolinites, spars, some varieties of mica, limestones and marbles. Under certain conditions, even some types of sand are transformed into clay. All known rocks that have geological outcrops on the surface of the earth are subject to the influence of the elements - rain, whirlwind, snow and flood waters.

Temperature fluctuations day and night, heating of the rock by sunlight contribute to the appearance of microcracks. Water gets into the formed cracks and, freezing, breaks the surface of the stone, forming a large amount of the smallest dust on it. Natural cyclones crush and grind the dust into even finer dust. Where the cyclone changes direction or simply subsides, huge accumulations of rock particles form over time. They are compressed, soaked in water, and the result is clay.

Depending on what rock clay is formed from and how it is formed, it acquires different colors. The most common are yellow, red, white, blue, green, dark brown and black clays. All colors, except black, brown and red, speak of the deep origin of clay.

The colors of clay are determined by the presence of the following salts in it:

red clay - potassium, iron;
greenish clay - copper, ferrous iron;
blue clay - cobalt, cadmium;
dark brown and black clay - carbon, iron;
yellow clay - sodium, ferric iron, sulfur and its salts.

Various colored clays.

We can also give an industrial classification of clays, which is based on the assessment of these clays according to a combination of a number of features. For example, this appearance products, color, sintering (melting) interval, resistance of the product to a sharp change in temperature, as well as the strength of the product to impact. According to these features, you can determine the name of the clay and its purpose:

china clay
faience clay
white-burning clay
brick and tile clay
pipe clay
clinker clay
capsule clay
terracotta clay

Practical use of clay.

Clays are widely used in industry (in the production of ceramic tiles, refractories, fine ceramics, porcelain and faience and sanitary wares), construction (production of bricks, expanded clay and other building materials), for domestic needs, in cosmetics and as a material for artwork ( modeling). Expanded clay gravel and sand produced from expanded clay by annealing with swelling are widely used in the production of building materials (expanded concrete, expanded clay concrete blocks, wall panels, etc.) and as a heat and sound insulating material. This is a light porous building material obtained by firing fusible clay. Has the form of oval granules. It is also produced in the form of sand - expanded clay sand.

Depending on the clay processing mode, expanded clay of various bulk density (bulk density) is obtained - from 200 to 400 kg / M3 and more. Expanded clay has high heat and noise insulating properties and is used mainly as a porous filler for lightweight concrete, which has no serious alternative. Walls made of expanded clay concrete are durable, have high sanitary and hygienic characteristics, and structures made of expanded clay concrete, built more than 50 years ago, are still in operation today. Housing built from prefabricated expanded clay concrete is cheap, high quality and affordable. The largest manufacturer of expanded clay is Russia.

Clay is the basis of pottery and brick production. When mixed with water, clay forms a doughy plastic mass suitable for further processing. Depending on the place of origin, natural raw materials have significant differences. One can be used in its pure form, the other must be sieved and mixed to obtain a material suitable for the manufacture of various trade items.

Natural red clay.

In nature, this clay has a greenish-brown color, which gives it iron oxide (Fe2O3), which makes up 5-8% of the total mass. During firing, depending on the temperature or type of kiln, the clay acquires a red or whitish color. It is easily kneaded and withstands heating no more than 1050-1100 C. The high elasticity of this type of raw material allows it to be used for working with clay plates or for modeling small sculptures.

White clay.

Its deposits are found all over the world. When wet, it is light gray, and after firing it becomes whitish or ivory. White clay is characterized by elasticity and translucency due to the absence of iron oxide in its composition.

Clay is used to make dishes, tiles and sanitary ware or for crafts from clay plates. Firing temperature: 1050-1150 °C. Before glazing, it is recommended to work in an oven at a temperature of 900-1000 °C. (The firing of unglazed porcelain is called biscuit firing.)

Porous ceramic mass.

Clay for ceramics is a white mass with a moderate calcium content and increased porosity. Its natural color is pure white to greenish brown. Fired at low temperatures. Unfired clay is recommended, as for some glazes a single firing is not enough.

Majolica is a type of raw material made from low-melting clay rocks with a high content of white alumina, fired at a low temperature and covered with a glaze containing tin.

The name "majolica" comes from the island of Mallorca, where it was first used by the sculptor Florentino Luca de la Robbia (1400-1481). Later, this technique was widely used in Italy. Ceramic trade items made of majolica were also called earthenware, since their production began in the workshops for the production of earthenware utensils.

Stone ceramic mass.

The basis of this raw material is fireclay, quartz, kaolin and feldspar. When wet, it has a black-brown color, and when raw fired, it is ivory. When glaze is applied, stoneware turns into a durable, waterproof and fireproof product. It can be very thin, opaque or in the form of a homogeneous, tightly sintered mass. Recommended firing temperature: 1100-1300 °C. If it is broken, the clay may crumble. The material is used in various technologies for the manufacture of pottery trade items from lamellar clay and for modeling. A distinction is made between red clay trade items and stoneware, depending on their technical properties.

Clay for porcelain trade items consists of kaolin, quartz and feldspar. It does not contain iron oxide. When wet it has a light gray color, after firing it is white. Recommended firing temperature: 1300-1400 °C. This type of raw material has elasticity. Working with it on the potter's wheel requires high technical costs, so it is better to use ready-made forms. This is a hard, non-porous clay (with low water absorption. - Ed.). After firing, porcelain becomes transparent. Glaze firing takes place at a temperature of 900-1000 °C.

Various trade items made of porcelain molded and fired at 1400°C.

Coarse-pore coarse-grained ceramic materials are used for the manufacture of large-sized trade items in construction, small-form architecture, etc. These grades withstand high temperatures and thermal fluctuations. Their plasticity depends on the content of quartz and aluminum (silica and alumina. - Ed.) in the rock. In the general structure there is a lot of alumina with a high content of chamotte. The melting point ranges from 1440 to 1600 °C. The material sinters well and shrinks slightly, so it is used to create large objects and large-format wall panels. When making art objects, the temperature should not exceed 1300°C.

This is a clay mass containing oxide or colorful pigment, which is a homogeneous mixture. If, penetrating deep into the clay, part of the paint remains in suspension, then the even tone of the raw material may be disturbed. Both colored and ordinary white or porous clay can be purchased at specialized stores.

Masses with colored pigment.

Pigments are inorganic compounds that color clay and glaze. Pigments can be divided into two groups: oxides and colorants. Oxides are the main material of natural origin, which is formed among the rocks of the earth's crust, cleaned and sprayed. The most commonly used are: copper oxide, which takes on a green color in an oxidizing firing environment; cobalt oxide, forming blue tones; iron oxide, which, when mixed with glaze, gives blue tones, and when mixed with clay, engobes of earthy tones. Chromium oxide gives clay an olive green color, magnesium oxide browns and purples, and nickel oxide grayish greens. All these oxides can be mixed with clay in a proportion of 0.5-6%. If their percentage is exceeded, the oxide will act as a flux, lowering the melting point of the clay. When painting items of trade, the temperature should not exceed 1020 ° C, otherwise firing will not work. The second group is dyes. They are obtained industrially or by mechanical processing of natural materials, which represent a full range of colors. Dyes are mixed with clay in a proportion of 5-20%, which determines the light or dark tone of the material. All specialist shops carry pigments and dyes for both clay and engobe.

The preparation of ceramic mass requires a lot of attention. It can be composed in two ways, which give completely different results. A more logical and reliable way: apply dyes under pressure. A simpler and, of course, less reliable method is to mix the dyes into the clay by hand. The second method is used if there is no exact idea of the final coloring results, or if there is a need to repeat some specific colors.

Technical ceramics.

Technical ceramics - a large group of ceramic trade items and materials obtained by heat treatment of a mass of a given chemical composition from mineral raw materials and other high quality raw materials that have the necessary strength, electrical properties (high volume and surface resistivity, high electrical strength, small tangent of the angle dielectric losses).

Cement production.

To make cement, calcium carbonate and clay are first extracted from quarries. Calcium carbonate (approximately 75% of the amount) is crushed and thoroughly mixed with clay (approximately 25% of the mixture). Dosing of raw materials is an extremely difficult process, since the lime content must correspond to a given amount with an accuracy of 0.1%.

These ratios are defined in the literature by the concepts of "calcareous", "siliceous" and "aluminous" modules. Since the chemical composition of the raw materials constantly fluctuates due to geological origin, it is easy to understand how difficult it is to maintain a constant modulus. In modern cement plants, computer-assisted control in combination with automatic analysis methods has proven itself.

Correctly composed sludge, prepared depending on the chosen technology (dry or wet method), is introduced into a rotary kiln (up to 200 m long and up to 2-7 m in diameter) and fired at a temperature of about 1450 °C - the so-called sintering temperature. At this temperature, the material begins to melt (sinter), it leaves the furnace in the form of more or less large lumps of clinker (sometimes called Portland cement clinker). Roasting takes place.

As a result of these reactions, clinker materials are formed. After leaving the rotary kiln, the clinker enters the cooler, where it is rapidly cooled from 1300 to 130 °C. After cooling, the clinker is crushed with a small addition of gypsum (maximum 6%). The grain size of cement lies in the range from 1 to 100 microns. It is better illustrated by the concept of "specific surface area". If we sum up the surface area of the grains in one gram of cement, then, depending on the thickness of the grinding of the cement, values from 2000 to 5000 cm² (0.2-0.5 m²) will be obtained. The predominant part of the cement in special containers is transported by road or by rail. All overloads are performed pneumatically. A minority of cement products are delivered in moisture- and tear-resistant paper bags. Cement is stored at construction sites mainly in liquid and dry states.

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Introduction

Many people consider ordinary clay. In fact, the material familiar to everyone is very interesting. Interesting to know: what is clay?

Clay is a widespread rock and a secondary product of the earth's crust, a sedimentary rock formed as a result of the destruction of rocks in the process of weathering.

The main source of argillaceous rocks is feldspar, which decays under the influence of atmospheric phenomena to form kaolinite and which, under the influence of atmospheric phenomena, form kaolinite and other aluminum silicate hydrates. Some clays of sedimentary origin are formed in the process of local accumulation of the mentioned minerals, but most of them are deposits of water flows that have fallen to the bottom of lakes and seas.

Depending on what rock clay is formed from and how it is formed, it acquires different colors. The most common are yellow, red, white, blue, green, dark brown and black clays.

Clays are widely used in industry (in the production of ceramic tiles, refractories, fine ceramics, porcelain and earthenware and sanitary wares), construction (production of bricks, expanded clay, and other building materials), for domestic needs, in cosmetics, and as a material for artwork ( modeling). We decided to study the composition and properties of clay and conduct experiments with it.

The relevance of the work: distribution of clay in nature.

Hypothesis A: Different properties of clay can be used for different applications.

Objective: Exploring and applying the properties of clay to create decorative crafts

Tasks:

To study general information about clay, using literary sources.

To study and conduct observations of the physical properties of clay, to analyze the results of research.

Conduct hands-on experiments with clay.

Make a decorative earthenware.

Research methods:

Working with sources of information. Theoretical research.

Experimental methods.

Observation and photography.

Analysis of the obtained results.

1. Theoretical part. Basic information about clay.

1.1. Rock - clay

Clays and clay rocks make up about half of all sedimentary rocks of the earth's crust. Clay is a fine-grained sedimentary rock, powdery in a dry state, plastic when moistened. Clay consists of one or more minerals of the kaolinite group (derived from the name of the area Kaolin in China), the rock-forming mineral in clay is kaolinite, its composition: 47% (wt) silicon (IV) oxide (SiO 2), 39% aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3) and 14% water (H 2 O).

Aluminum oxides and silicon oxides - make up a significant part of the chemical composition of yellow, brown, blue, green, purple and even black clays. Clay is everywhere. Which, in general, is not surprising - clay, sedimentary rock, is a stone worn by time and external influence to the state of powder. The last stage of stone evolution. (Stone-sand-clay.)

Temperature fluctuations day and night, heating of the rock by sunlight contribute to the appearance of microcracks. Water gets into the formed cracks and, freezing, breaks the surface of the stone, forming a large amount of the smallest dust on it. The cyclone crushes and grinds the dust into even finer dust. Where the cyclone changes direction or simply subsides, huge accumulations of rock particles form over time. They are compressed, soaked in water, and the result is clay.

1.2. clay properties

Clay properties: plasticity, fire and air shrinkage, refractoriness, sintering, color of ceramic shard, viscosity, shrinkage, porosity, swelling, dispersion. Clay is the most stable waterproofing agent - water impermeability is one of its qualities. Due to this, clay soil is the most stable type of soil developed in wastelands and wastelands. The impermeability of clay is useful for maintaining the quality of groundwater - a significant part of high-quality artesian sources lie between clay layers.

By the nature of the clay are divided into "fatty" and "skinny". Clays with high plasticity are called "fat" because when wet they give a tactile sensation of a fatty substance. "Fatty" clay is shiny and slippery to the touch (if you take such clay on your teeth, it slides), contains few impurities. The "dough" made from it is tender. A brick made of such clay cracks during drying and firing, and in order to avoid this, so-called "leaning" substances are added to the batch: sand, "lean" clay, burnt brick, pottery, sawdust, and so on. Clays with low plasticity or non-plasticity are called "skinny".

Clay melts at very high temperatures. The melting temperature (the beginning of melting) characterizes the fire resistance of clay.

The color of clays is varied: light gray, bluish, yellow, white, reddish, brown with various shades. The quality of the manufactured brick does not depend on the color of the clay.

The most important properties of clay are:

1) the ability to form thin "suspensions" (cloudy puddles) and viscous dough in a mixture with water.

2) the ability to swell in water.

3) the plasticity of clay dough, i.e. the ability to take and maintain any form in its raw form.

4) the ability to retain this shape even after "drying with a decrease in volume."

5) stickiness.

6) binding ability.

7) water resistance, i.e. the ability, after saturation with a certain amount of water, not to let water through. Various products are made from clay dough - jugs, crocks, pots, bowls, etc., which, after firing, become completely solid and do not let water through.

Not all clays and not to the same extent have the listed properties.

1.3. Significance and application of clay

Clay of a certain color helps with various diseases.

With the help of white clay, intestinal diseases, obesity, hair loss are treated, and nails are strengthened. Red clay is used for diseases of the cardiovascular system, hypotension, varicose veins, nervous and endocrine diseases. Yellow clay is used for stroke, diseases of the stomach and intestines, migraine, headache, osteochondrosis. Black clay is used to reduce temperature, with various types of heartbeat, inflammation of the skin and internal organs, and helps to rejuvenate the body. Blue clay treats well obesity, hypofunction of the thyroid gland, relieves muscle weakness and provides joint mobility. Cosmetically, blue clay is used for oily skin. If there is no clay of the desired color, then any clay can be used.

Practical use

Expanded clay gravel and sand produced from expanded clay by annealing with swelling are widely used in the production of building materials (expanded concrete, expanded clay concrete blocks, wall panels, etc.) and as a heat and sound insulating material. This is a light porous building material obtained by firing fusible clay. Walls made of expanded clay concrete are durable, have high sanitary and hygienic characteristics, and structures made of expanded clay concrete, built more than 50 years ago, are still in operation today. The largest manufacturer of expanded clay is Russia.

Many doctors recommend using blue clay in the form of powders, pastes, ointments for skin diseases (ulcers, burns, diaper rash). Inside, adults are recommended to take 20-30 g at a time and no more than 100 g per day for gastrointestinal diseases (colitis, enteritis, food poisoning).

In folk medicine, blue clay is used to treat: stomach ulcers, diarrhea, bloating, jaundice, liver cirrhosis, asthma, pulmonary tuberculosis, anemia, metabolic disorders, atherosclerosis, paralysis, epilepsy, and even alcoholism, cholelithiasis and urolithiasis. Take 20 g of clay, dilute in 150 ml of warm water, take 15-20 minutes before meals.

Clays are mineral raw materials of mass consumption. They are used in a wide variety of sectors of the economy, for a variety of purposes.

brick production

For the production of building bricks, widely used low-melting sandy ("lean") clays of any color are used.

Cement production

Portland cement is a finely ground powder of a mixture of clay and limestone.

Art

Plastic green, gray-green and gray clays are widely used in sculpture. Usually, all sculptors initially create their works from clay, followed by casting them from plaster or bronze. Industries

These include, for example, soap, perfume, textile, abrasive, pencil and a number of others.

Life and agriculture.

Clays, in addition, are widely used in everyday life, especially in agriculture: for laying furnaces, claying currents, whitewashing walls, etc. The use of swelling clays of the bentonite type in the construction of dams, reservoirs and other similar structures has great prospects. Clay is an important and necessary mineral for many branches of the national economy.

2. Practical part

2.1. Selection and preparation of materials and equipment for work

Equipment: beaker, glass rod, glass slide, spatula, muffle furnace, stacks, oilcloth, foam sponge. (Appendix 2, photo 5).

Practical experience 1. Familiarization with a clay sample

Work plan: familiarization with the clay sample.

Target- to study the appearance of clay.

Result familiarization with clay samples is presented in the form of a table

Table 1. Properties of clay

(Appendix 1, photo 2).

After carefully examining the sample, I recorded my observations in a table.

Table 2. Description of the physical properties of clay

clay properties	Observations
State of aggregation
	Grey-green
	Missing
	earthy
Hardness (on the Mohs scale, handbook)
Plasticity, brittleness, elasticity
Solubility in water	insoluble
Melting point (reference)
Density (reference)
Thermal conductivity (reference book)
Electrical conductivity (reference book)

Conclusion: properties of substances are signs by which some substances differ from others. Knowing the properties of substances, a person can use them with great benefit for himself.

Practical experience 2. Studying the solubility of clay

Target: study the process of clay dissolution.

Raw material: clay; water.

Progress: A small amount of water was poured into a beaker and a small piece of clay the size of a pea was placed. The clay was mixed with water with a glass rod.

Result: The water became cloudy, the clay settled to the bottom.

Conclusion: Clay is poorly soluble in water, forming a two-component system of clay and water. (Appendix 2, photo 4).

Practical experience 3. Studying the plasticity of clay

Target: study the plasticity of clay.

Raw material: clay; water.

Progress: Moisten a piece of clay with a damp foam sponge until it becomes soft and plastic.

Result: the clay, when moistened, became soft and easy to sculpt.

Conclusion: when moistened, clay acquires new properties - plasticity and softness. (Appendix 1, photo 3).

Practical Experience 4. Raw Clay Drying Study

Target: study the process of drying raw clay.

Raw material: clay

Progress: A piece of moistened raw clay was used to make a decorative clay craft. Clay is easy to mold, it is soft and plastic, so you can mold any product. In the course of practical work, a dog figurine 10x10 cm in size was molded. The dog figurine made of wet clay was left indoors to air dry. Drying time was one day.

Result: after drying, the clay product changed its color. Raw clay is grey-green in color, while dry clay is light gray in color.

Conclusion: when raw clay dries, the excess water slowly evaporates. A clay product acquires properties: color change, hardness.

Practical experience 5. Clay firing

Target: study the process of firing clay.

Raw material: dried clay craft.

Progress: the dried clay craft was placed in a muffle furnace for firing. The firing process takes place at a temperature of 900-1010 0 C. The firing time is 8 hours.

Result: after firing, the clay product acquired a different color and became more solid. Dry clay is light gray in color, while fired clay is brown-orange in color.

Conclusion: during firing, the clay loses almost all moisture and acquires new properties: strength and water resistance. (Appendix 1, photo 1).

Practical experience 6. Coating with varnish and paints of clay crafts.

Target: creating a painted creative clay craft.

Raw material: fired clay handicrafts, paints, varnish.

Progress: we paint the burnt clay craft with paints and varnish it.

Result: after painting with paints, we got a beautiful decorative craft.

Conclusion: fired products can be coated with paints and varnishes, poured with glazes to give these products new properties: waterproof, hygienic, decorative.

Conclusion

In the course of work, I learned a lot of new interesting information about clay, its extraction, application and properties.

Clay is a widespread rock and a secondary product of the earth's crust, a sedimentary rock formed as a result of the destruction of rocks in the process of weathering. It comes in different colors, it depends on the stone-creator. It is used for cosmetics, health and rejuvenation. Of great industrial importance is the production of building materials from clay: brick, cement, etc.

In the work, the following properties of clay were studied and used in order to create decorative crafts: plasticity, water resistance, moisture evaporation, drying and firing.

The hypothesis was confirmed: different properties of clay can be used for different applications. Knowing certain properties of clay, you can use it for various needs. Useful properties of clay: it is used for cosmetics, health and rejuvenation. Of great industrial importance is the production of building materials from clay: brick, cement, etc.

conclusions

1. Using literary sources, general information about clay, its properties, significance and application were studied.

2. In the practical part of the work, we studied and observed the physical properties of clay.

3. In the course of the work, experiments and observations were carried out with photographic fixation of the results obtained. The physical properties of clay were studied: softness, plasticity, brittleness, heat capacity, hardness, strength, color, water resistance. All of the above properties of clay have been studied and put into practice in the manufacture of clay crafts.

4. In the practical part of the work, a decorative clay product in the shape of a dog, 10x10 cm in size, was made.

Bibliography

Gabrielyan O.S. Chemistry. Grade 8: textbook. for educational institutions - M.: Drofa, 2013 - 267 p.

Kritsman V.A. Reading book on inorganic chemistry. Student aid. - M.: Enlightenment, 1975 - 303 p.

Nachtigal V. Big series of knowledge. - M .: LLC "TD" Publishing House "World of Books", 2005 - 128 p.

Electronic resource: article Clay on www.xHYPERLINK "http://www.xumuk.ru/"umuk.ru.

Applications

Natural clay is a sedimentary rock. In the dry state, it is lumps or dust, which, when wet, acquire plastic properties. This fossil is formed under the influence of the forces of nature during the destruction of rocky massifs.

The main material of clay formations are fossils, for example, feldspar. The prevalence of clay and its easy availability make it possible to use this material everywhere. Clay materials are rocks that represent sediments of water currents that accumulate at the bottom of reservoirs.

Typical composition

For more than one century, clay has rightfully been the most common and popular material in construction. Natural clay is formed due to the fact that there is a splitting of clay rocks of the earth in a natural way, as well as due to the assistance of mechanical influences.

The material has an unstable structure, so the composition of the clay is diverse. It is a complex combination of particles of water, aluminum and silicon. Water in clay can play a binding role; it is in a chemically bound state between the particles of the interlayers. Rock without impurities is a mass with a minimum particle diameter. This material is very flexible.

Clay contains impurities of the following substances: quartz, magnesium oxide, iron sulfide, and so on. According to the mineral composition, the following clay materials can be distinguished:

kaolin;
halloysite;
illite;
montmorillonite.

Raw materials are named based on how the clay material will be used. An important characteristic of the material is the percentage of impurities (for example, the content of quartz sand). The fire resistance of clay is determined by the percentage of alumina.

Kinds

The above properties, of course, cannot be inherent in all varieties of clay at the same time. The most valuable varieties of natural building material are:

refractory;
kaolin;
brick;
acid-resistant;
cement;
bentonite.

The first two types of material are one of the main raw materials for the production of porcelain. At the same time, refractory clay can be used for the manufacture of a wide range of refractory products.

Molding clay is characterized by unique binding properties, and is also refractory. Therefore, the use of this variety is absolutely justified in the production of casting molds.

As for acid-resistant clays, they include magnesium, calcium, and also iron. Produced from such material mainly faience.

An excellent building material is obtained from cement and brick clays. Oil products are filtered through the use of bentonite clay, which, by the way, swells strongly upon contact with water.

In production, clay is distinguished with a high content of quartz sand (an impurity that prevails in clay) and with a low content of it. The first is called "skinny", and the second - "fat".

clay properties

Clay is a versatile natural material. Diverse in composition and physical properties, it is used everywhere for the production of household items and building materials, among which it is considered in its pure form.

The properties of clay directly depend on its composition. So, she can behave differently when coming into contact with water. In some cases, when the material is mixed with water, a dough-like mass is formed. In other cases, the result of such a procedure is the formation of a suspension. In the first case, clay has unique properties and can take any shape and keep it when it dries.

The prevalence of clay and its easy availability make it possible to use this material everywhere. At the same time, due to the inexpediency of transporting heavy material over long distances, production complexes are located directly in the place of clay deposits.

Color

Multi-colored clay is a material that contains oxides of metallic elements or pigments, and is a homogeneous mixture of:

Natural pigments give the clay a particular shade, they are divided into two categories: oxides of metallic elements and the actual coloring matter.
During the firing process, red clay turns red or white, depending on the process conditions and the type of firing equipment. This variety can withstand heating up to 1100 degrees.
Low-melting black majolica clay. After firing, the mass resembles ivory products in color. Thanks to the use of glaze, products made from raw materials become extremely durable and have high water resistance.
To give the material a blue color, oxygen-containing cobalt compounds are used. Chromium compounds provide the color of olives, while magnesium and nickel compounds provide brown and gray, respectively.
Coloring components are added to the raw material in an amount of 1 to 5%. Higher pigment content may result in undesirable effects during the firing process.

Plastic

As it dries, the clay will retain the shape it was given, but will shrink in size. When fired, it will become hard, like a stone. It is often used in the manufacture of dishes and other kitchen utensils. Bricks are often produced from fired clay; they have fairly good strength with mechanical damage.

Clay has a binding capacity, as well as good stickiness. When the clay collects enough water, it will no longer let it through, that is, it will become waterproof.

The material has a high covering power. This property determines the use of the material as a whitewash for the walls of houses and stoves.

Hygroscopicity

Not waterproof raw materials, when they get into the water, they begin to soak, are divided into parts, a mushy mass is formed.

It can absorb compounds dissolved in the aquatic environment (sorption capacity). This property determines the use of the material for the purification of petroleum products, treacle syrups, juices, vegetable fats.

fire resistance

Refractory clay has good strength. Clay in its raw form can take on all sorts of configurations. These types of clays are called "oily" because they feel oily when touched. But clays that are less plastic are called "skinny". A brick made from such clay will be very crumbly and fragile.

Useful and healing properties of clay

Undoubtedly, clay has positive influence on the human body. Each type of clay affects the body differently due to its different chemical composition.

Clay, which is a natural material, has a beneficial effect because, in fact, it is a sedimentary rock that was formed as a result of the destruction of rocks and for a long time absorbed all kinds of trace elements.

Of all the varieties, Cambrian blue clay is considered the most ancient. Since ancient times, people have been quite successfully using its healing properties in medicine. This clay owes its name to the period in history during which it was formed.

Other clay materials are considered secondary. They are formed as a result of the destruction of rocks by water flows. For the most part, secondary grades contain silicate particles.

One of the main reasons why clay is used for medical purposes is its ability to retain heat. For this reason, clay is so common in heat therapy. In most cases, before using clay, it is adjusted to the consistency of sour cream, diluted with water.

By the amount of added water, one can judge the heat capacity and thermal conductivity of the clay.

White clay

At the moment, there are about forty types of clay. White clay or kaolin in our time is the most studied:

This clay is widely used not only in the treatment, but also in the manufacture of porcelain products, is widely used in chemical industry, the manufacture of perfumes and the like.
White clay has enveloping as well as absorbent properties. Therefore, it is actually used in the treatment of burns, diaper rash, ulcers and other skin diseases.
This variety has not only external use, but also internal. Inside, it is taken for problems with the gastrointestinal tract, as well as for poisoning. This clay is cooled and covered with bruises or dislocations on the body.
Popular clay compresses are often used. In the people, clay is simply sprinkled on places of wounds and injuries. It can also be used as baby powder. But, despite all the useful properties of white clay, its blue counterpart is more popular among the people. Because, according to the majority, it is the most plastic and has the highest heat capacity.

Scope of application

The most common area of application of clay is the production of porcelain and building materials. The most important step in the production of clay objects is their firing. So, upon completion of this procedure, the object acquires strength and moisture resistance. A building material made from clay has amazing resistance to mechanical stress.

No less important is the covering power of clay, as well as its coloring properties. In nature, clays are found in a wide variety of colors. White, for example, is great for whitewashing surfaces, and colored for painting them.

Some types of clay are suitable for filtering petroleum products as well as vegetable oils. This property of the material lies in its sorption capacity.

Place of Birth

Clay is ubiquitous, it is natural, since it belongs to sedimentary rocks, and is, in fact, rocks crushed to a powder state.

Mining sites are often located along the banks of water bodies. There are numerous outcrops, but not all deposits are suitable for commercial production.

The most famous deposits are Kashtymskoye, Astafyevskoye, Palevskoye. It should be noted that refractory and kaolin clays are much less common. Often refractory varieties coexist with refractory species.

Currently, clay is mined in a quarry. Clay quarries can be of various depths. Often different types of clays can be produced in the same quarry.