kaolin

also n.
A fine clay used in ceramics and refractories and as a filler or coating for paper and textiles.

[French, from Chinese (Mandarin) GāolѤng, a mountain of Jiangxi province.]

Variant: china clay

A soft white clay that is composed chiefly of the mineral kaolinite (see clay minerals). It is formed during the weathering and hydrothermal alteration of other clays or feldspar. Kaolin is mined in the UK, France, the Czech Republic, and USA. Besides its vital importance in the ceramics industry it is also used extensively as a filler in the manufacture of rubber, paper, paint, and textiles and as a constituent of medicines.

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(kā'ə-lin)
n

A fine, pure-white clay (hydrated aluminum silicate) used in porcelain teeth.

A mineral, usually white, composed principally of hydrous aluminum silicate, of low iron content; used in the manufacture of white cement.

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Al
Monoclinic -- prismatic

Environment

Representative of a number of clays. A secondary mineral, derived from fresh aluminum silicates in soils; and in place in rock from simple hydrothermal alteration of feldspar in granite and pegmatite.

Crystal description

Crystals microscopic and in compact masses, the individuals usually indistinguishable. The electron microscope has produced interesting pictures of kaolin plates with the shape of gypsum crystals. Kaolin forms dull earthy masses, sometimes pseudomorphic after feldspar. Many similar clay minerals are identical in appearance.

Physical properties

White, may be stained red, brown, or black. Luster dull; hardness 2-2Ɖ (undeterminable because it simply breaks up); specific gravity 2.6 (also not ascertainable by ordinary means); cleavage micaceous. Can be cut or shaped; opaque.

Composition

Alkaline aluminum silicate (39.5% Al ₂ O ₃ , 46.5% SiO ₂ , 14.0% H ₂ O).

Tests

Earthy odor when breathed upon. Gives bright blue color from heating, after being touched with cobalt nitrate.

Distinguishing characteristics

The amateur cannot distinguish the clay minerals (which the professional identifies by heat absorption, x-ray, or electron microscope methods). It is more friable than pyrophyllite.

Occurrence

Clay beds, stream-sorted and derived from the alteration of earlier rocks, are everywhere and are widely exploited in the northern states. Farther south, pegmatites have been worked for the kaolin formed from the feldspar. In Cornwall, England, a high-quality china clay is extracted from the altered potassium feldspar of a granite.

Remarks

Widely used in ceramics, and with other clays is the important constituent of soil.

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Native hydrated aluminum silicate; used externally as an adsorbent and protective and internally as a gastrointestinal adsorbent and demulcent in mild diarrhea. The basis of the antiphlogistine poultice. Called also China clay.

• Genres: Rock
• Representative Albums: "Melanger Les Couleurs," "De Retour dans Nos Criques," "Allez"

Biography

A late 1990s born French rock band, Kaolin (members include Guillaume Cantillon (vocals and bass), Julien Cantillon (guitar and vocals), Ludwig Martins (guitar and vocals), and Olivier Valty (drums)) released their first -- self-produced and self-released single ("Purs Moments") in 1998, and followed that up with the EP Bienvenue Dans Les Criques in 2000. Their first album, Allez, was released after finally scoring a record deal in 2002, and released their second, the critically well-received De Retour Dans Nos Criques in 2004. The Montluçon, Auvergne based band released Mélanger Les Couleurs in 2006. ~ Chris True, All Music Guide

Melanger Les Couleurs Buy this CD

De Retour dans Nos Criques Buy this CD

This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)

Dansk (Danish)
n. - kaolin

Nederlands (Dutch)
porseleinaarde

Français (French)
n. - kaolin

Deutsch (German)
n. - Kaolin, Porzellanerde

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - καολίνης

Italiano (Italian)
caolino

Português (Portuguese)
n. - caulim (m) (Miner.)

Русский (Russian)
каолин

Español (Spanish)
n. - caolín

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - kaolin (porslinslera)

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
高岭土, 瓷土

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 高嶺土, 瓷土

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 고령토

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - カオリン, 高陵土

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) الصلصال الصيني‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮קאולין, טין לבן‬

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Kaolin Sisley Mask