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Clays exhibit plasticity when mixed with water in certain proportions. When dry, clay becomes firm and when fired in a kiln, permanent physical and chemical reactions occur. These reactions, among other changes, cause the clay to be converted into a ceramic material. Because of these properties, clay is used for making pottery items, both utilitarian and decorative. Different types of clay, when used with different minerals and firing conditions, are used to produce earthenware, stoneware and porcelain. Prehistoric humans discovered the useful properties of clay, and one of the earliest artifacts ever uncovered is a drinking vessel made of sun-dried clay.[citation needed] Depending on the content of the soil, clay can appear in various colors, from a dull gray to a deep orange-red.

Clay tablets were used as the first writing medium, inscribed with cuneiform script through the use of a blunt reed called a stylus.

Clays sintered in fire were the first form of ceramic. Bricks, cooking pots, art objects, dishware and even Musical Instruments such as theocarina can all be shaped from clay before being fired. Clay is also used in many industrial processes, such as paper making, cementproduction and chemical filtering. Clay is also often used in the manufacture of pipes for smoking tobacco. Until the late 20th century bentoniteclay was widely used as a mold binder in the manufacture of sand castings.

Clay, being relatively impermeable to water, is also used where natural seals are needed, such as in the cores of dams, or as a barrier inlandfills against toxic seepage ('lining' the landfill, preferably in combination with geotextiles).[4]

Recent studies have investigated clay's absorption capacities in various applications, such as the removal of heavy metals from waste water and air purification.

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Related Questions

What happens when you put unfired clay in water?

Dry clay can be recycled by putting it in water. This will remoisten the clay and allow it to be kneaded and molded. Once clay has been fired it can no longer be recycled. Fired clay can be soaked a long time and will not dissolve.


What happens when you put clay and water in the freezer?

When clay and water are frozen together in the freezer, the water molecules expand as they turn into ice, which can cause the clay to crack or break apart due to the pressure. This occurs because the water expands and pushes against the structure of the clay as it freezes.


How do you soften clay fast?

You have to put water in it then roll it.


If 10ml of water is put in clay how much is absorbed?

70%


How do you cool water using clay?

To cool water using clay, you can place a clay pot with water inside a larger clay pot. Wet the outer pot with water and place in a well-ventilated area. As the water in the outer pot evaporates, it will draw heat from the inner pot, thus cooling the water inside. This method utilizes the principle of evaporative cooling to lower the temperature of the water.


How do you make a clay?

rub rocks together and put in water and stir


How do you make a clay boat?

u can shape the clay into looking like a boat then let it sit for a day or 2 then put water in a bowl a put marbels in it


What happens if clay goes in heat?

Clay is a naturally occurring substance with many uses, the use to which you are going to put it would decide how you would prepare it.


Is air dry clay which is already hard safe to put in a fish tank?

No, dry clay is not safe to put in a fish tank because clay is made up of chemicals and when you put that substance of chemicals into water the chemicals diffuse (spread) and that could harm the fish. But if you don't have any fish in the tank its OK to put hard clay in it.


What happens if you put Mentos in tap water?

Nothing noteworthy happens if mentos are put in tap water; they simply dissolve slowly.


What happens to clay when heat is applied?

An example is in brick-making. Pliable clay is formed into brick-shape, and put into a kiln. When the brick is removed from the kiln, it is a solid brick.


When do you put clay ina kiln?

You put clay in the kiln when the clay is at the bone dry stage.