Where to find blue clay in nature. Where is clay mined? Where did blue clay come from?

Natural, inexpensive, effective and easy to use - all this is about blue clay, which has been used for centuries to treat and prevent many diseases. Gray powder diluted with water is used as face and hair masks, as a healing drink and in the form of therapeutic applications, compresses and baths. So what is blue clay and what are its healing properties?

What is blue clay: description, composition

Blue or Cambrian clay (kaolin) is a sedimentary volcanic rock that is more than half a billion years old. Formed on the basis of minerals: mica, marble, limestone, spar and kaolinite. The main production regions are Crimea and Altai.

The natural product has the form of a fine dirty-gray powder, does not dissolve in liquids, and settles to the bottom as part of mixtures. When mixed with water, the natural green dye, the copper complex of chlorophyllins, which is part of it, gives the clay a bluish undertone. On the skin, under the influence of oxygen, it changes color to gray-green.

The chemical composition of the product differs depending on where it was mined. The basis of the powdered substance is:

• silicon oxide;
• aluminosilicates;
• zinc oxide;
• Nitric oxide;
• magnesium;
• manganese;
• molybdenum;
• copper;
• silver ions;
• potassium;
• iron;
• calcium;
• radium (in a minimal amount).

Benefits of Blue Clay

Kaolin is a source of useful trace elements, which determines its therapeutic effect on the human body. The healing properties of powder of volcanic origin are presented in the table:

Effect	Characteristic
Antiseptic	Disinfects and heals wounds on the skin, kills bacteria
Immunomodulatory	Increases local resistance to infections and viruses
Absorbent	Absorbs and removes toxins, poisons, excess secretion of glands
Stimulating	Activates metabolic and regenerative processes in cells
Antitumor	Radium (a radioactive element) contained in the composition prevents the formation of cancer cells
anti-aging	Due to silver ions, it increases the synthesis of natural elements of collagen and elastin
Lymphatic drainage	Eliminates swelling of tissues, fights the accumulation of adipose tissue

Hello dear Readers!

Nature, creating Man, took care of his beauty and health, endowing the surrounding objects with healing power. Natural medicines are herbs, trees, flowers. But even the soil on which a Man walks is capable of healing and bestowing beauty!

Blue clay is a multifunctional and versatile substance. It is rightfully considered the most effective and useful. The rich composition of this substance allows its use in medicine. The unique blue powder can even join the fight against oncology! He is in great demand in cosmetology.

What is blue clay? What is its use? And how to properly use the medicine put into the hands of a person by Mother Nature?

It is over 500 million years old. And it has passed through all the great civilizations. After all, the benefits of blue clay have been known since ancient times. And in tsarist Russia it was valued worth its weight in gold.

Real blue clay may surprise those who encounter it for the first time. It has a bluish gray tint. If you come across deep blue clay, then know that it contains additional components and seaweed.

The rock helps fight joint diseases, skin pathologies (psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema). It allows you to stop attacks of allergies, poisoning, relieves purulent inflammation.

In addition, it is an amazing natural filter. In ancient times, it was used to purify water. Blue clay is able to absorb all harmful components. And copes with this task, no worse than industrial filters.

Composition of blue clay

This substance is rich in mineral salts, trace elements. It acquired its unusual color due to the presence of silver ions, which are known as a natural antibiotic. But this is not the only "jewel" that blue clay contains.

The composition of the breed is very diverse, and rich:

• iron, which improves blood circulation in tissues;
• magnesium, which prevents the growth of malignant tumors;
• potassium, calcium, giving elasticity to the skin;
• silicon, which dilates blood vessels and provides skin elasticity;
• nitrogen and zinc, known anti-inflammatory components;
• copper, which forms elastin in tissues.

Properties of blue clay

Such a rich composition makes blue clay one of the most sought-after products in cosmetology and medicine.

After all, she is capable of:

• destroy bacteria (the substance serves as an excellent antiseptic);
• relieve inflammation;
• neutralize and remove toxins;
• nourish cells with minerals;
• increase the body's defenses;
• stimulate the healing of fractures, wounds;
• favorably affect metabolic processes;
• improve the structure of the skin;
• clean fabrics.

Distinctive features

What is the difference between blue clay and its "brothers"? Silver ions contain only this substance, which provide it with powerful antiseptic properties.

After applying the clay to the skin, there is a slight burning sensation. This effect helps to effectively fight cellulite, stretch marks. It helps to cope with acne, eliminates hair loss.

The benefit of blue clay is that it can fight diseases of the spine, joints, and muscles. It is used to treat the lungs, bronchi, bladder, kidneys.

It will help women cope with gynecological problems. And, of course, it will become a reliable defender in oncology.

Application of blue clay

Every woman dreams of seeing herself as a stunning beauty. To make such dreams come true, you need to work on your body, skin and not forget about health.

Blue clay will become an invaluable assistant on the way to beauty. By the way, such care will require significantly less financial costs than fashionable cosmetics or procedures.

Let's look at what problems, both external and internal, you can count on the help of a mountain healer.

Therapeutic purposes

In traditional and folk medicine, the properties of the breed are appreciated. It is widely used for the treatment of various diseases:

1. Malignant and benign tumors. It has been established that various lotions and ingestion of the substance give excellent results. Antitumor effect, according to assumptions, is associated with the content of a rare radioactive element - radium.
2. Acute and chronic pathologies of the joints, spine, muscles, tendons, ligaments.

The beneficial properties of blue clay in such pathologies are fully confirmed by official medicine.

In addition, it is in demand in the treatment of:

• female diseases;
• polyps, adenoids, inflammation of the ear;
• diabetes;
• inflammation and compaction of the lymph nodes;
• eye diseases;
• diarrhea, bloating, ulcerative pathologies;
• cirrhosis, jaundice;
• asthma;
• atherosclerosis;
• disturbed metabolism.

Home use of blue clay

To enjoy the magical effects of blue clay, you need to use it correctly.

Initially, be sure to study the contraindications and rules for using the remedy. Blue clay has a pronounced healing effect, which, if used improperly, can result in harm to the skin and health.

Terms of Use

1. The powder must be warmed up before use. To do this, it (open) is placed under the sun's rays for 2-3 days.
2. For the manufacture of funds, only non-metallic utensils are used.
3. Clay can be diluted with any components: water, oils, juices. But it is important to remember that the liquids should be slightly warm. Under the influence of hot environments, the substance loses its healing power.
4. Ingredients and quantities may vary depending on the recipe. But there is a "golden" rule for the preparation of any external clay products. The consistency of the prepared composition should resemble thick sour cream. Otherwise, the product will simply spread over the skin.
5. Before the application procedure, it is recommended to cleanse the skin. You can use any antiseptics, with the exception of cosmetics containing alcohol. After all, clay and so dries the skin.
6. Face masks are recommended to be applied for 15-20 minutes. For hair - 30-40. The wrapping procedure can last - 30-50 minutes.
7. If the mask is applied to the face, then during the procedure you should not smile or talk. The hardening composition may crack. And this will harm the skin in the form of microcracks.
8. To remove the mask, you need to slightly moisten the covers with water. Then, with light movements of the hands, wash off the composition from the skin. Don't use wipes. They are able to leave the smallest microcracks.
9. Clay "draws" all the harmful components to the surface of the skin. Therefore, after the procedure, you should carefully clean the skin with soap. Then the covers are moistened with coconut or.
10. Procedures are recommended to be repeated after 3 days. Within one day, you should not make a mask with clay and use it to cleanse the skin.

After reviewing the rules for using a unique component, we will consider some effective recipes that will allow any young lady to shine with beauty.

Application in cosmetology

What is useful blue clay in cosmetology? It allows you to solve many problems. It is used for body shaping, hair improvement. It gives tenderness and elasticity to the skin.

The rock is very useful for body shaping. Based on it, effective masks and scrubs are created. Blue clay wrapping procedures are popular.

The substance is able to provide getting rid of cellulite, elimination of subcutaneous fat, giving the covers a natural shade, elimination of puffiness, getting rid of stretch marks, scars, scars.

No less valuable breed for teeth. It will eliminate bleeding gums, get rid of tartar.

Blue clay for face

When I first tried to make a face mask with blue clay, I realized that I would not part with it. Since then, I continue to do regular cosmetic procedures for the face, body and hair.

It is not difficult to buy cosmetic blue clay - it is on sale in most pharmacies and supermarkets and costs very little. Using it at home is pleasant and easy, and the result of the application is in no way inferior to expensive salon procedures.

Considering the properties of blue clay for the face, it is necessary to emphasize the following effects:

• eliminates fatigue and signs of lack of sleep;
• smoothes wrinkles;
• normalizes the functioning of the sebaceous glands;
• narrows enlarged pores;
• struggling with a second chin;
• relieves the skin of acne, rashes, black spots;
• restores elasticity, softness, elasticity;
• whitens the skin, eliminates freckles, age spots;
• improves complexion;
• gets rid of scars.

Face masks

To properly use the properties of blue clay for the face, it is important to determine the type of skin. For dry skin, it is recommended to add moisturizers to the mask.

Products for dry skin

Masks containing blue clay allow you to moisturize, nourish tissues, tighten the covers. They are great for smoothing fine wrinkles.

For such purposes, the following recipes are used:

1. Blue clay can be used in its pure form. The powder must be diluted with water until a non-liquid slurry is obtained. The agent is applied for 15-20 minutes.
2. Mountain substance (1 tablespoon) is diluted with water and thoroughly rubbed. Cream is added to the mixture (1 tablespoon).
3. (1 tablespoon) is combined with chicken yolk. Blue clay is introduced into this composition. It is necessary to carefully knead the product.
4. Fresh cucumber juice (1 tsp) is added to olive oil (1 tsp). Mountain powder (1 tablespoon) is added to the liquid. Rub thoroughly and apply to the skin.

Masks for problematic and oily skin

In this case, the following properties of blue clay for the face are used: cleansing, eliminating inflammation, getting rid of oily sheen, narrowing pores.

Such recipes are effective:

1. Oatmeal or rice flour (1 tablespoon) is mixed with blue clay (1 tablespoon). The mixture is diluted with water. This mask will perfectly cleanse the skin.
2. With acne, the following remedy will help. Rock (1 tsp) is combined with warm milk (1 tbsp). The composition is administered - 2 drops.
3. The main component is diluted with mineral water (simple can be used). Aloe juice (1 tsp) is added to the product. This mask has an excellent drying effect.

Video recipe

Whitening masks

Above, when it was considered how blue clay is useful, it was noted that the substance is able to get rid of age spots, brighten integuments, and eliminate freckles. Consider what recipes will achieve such results.

Such whitening masks are quite effective:

1. This remedy can be used for any type of skin. Blue clay (1 tablespoon) is diluted with kefir. The duration of the procedure is 15 minutes.
2. For ladies with oily skin and acne, such a tool is suitable. Lemon juice (1 tsp) is mixed with vodka (1 tbsp). Blue powder is added.

Rejuvenating blue clay face mask

• 1 st. spoon kelp;
• warm water.

Laminaria are also sold in almost every pharmacy, they cost 2 times more than clay and are dry algae crushed or ground into powder.

They must first be soaked in warm water for 20-30 minutes so that they swell. For 1 st. take a spoonful of seaweed 3 tbsp. spoons of water.

Make sure that the water temperature is not higher than 60 degrees, otherwise the beneficial properties of algae will significantly decrease due to the destruction of complex peptide bonds under the influence of boiling water.

Dilute clay powder with water in a ratio of 1: 1, stir and add prepared algae to the mixture. Bring to uniformity, apply on face. Hold for no more than 30 minutes.

A course of 10 procedures performed every other day will return your skin to youth, fresh look, tighten it and noticeably improve facial contours.

Composition that restores radiance and youthfulness to the skin of the face

• 1 st. a spoonful of clay powder;
• 2 tbsp. spoons of decoction of sage, blackcurrant leaves or sea buckthorn berries.

All of these components have a powerful antioxidant effect, they perfectly nourish the skin, restore its tone and elasticity, and promote the regeneration and restoration of collagen fibers. The mixture cleanses the skin well, relieves inflammation and restores a healthy complexion.

For the mask, a decoction is first prepared: 1 teaspoon of dried and chopped grass is poured into 100 g of water, allowed to boil for no more than 10 minutes. The resulting broth is left for at least 20 minutes to let it brew.

The required amount of clay powder is mixed with the prepared decoction, applied to the face for 20-30 minutes. Wash off without soap. It is useful to make a course of 6-8 procedures to enhance and consolidate the cosmetic effect.

How to shrink skin pores with clay

• 1 st. a spoonful of blue clay;
• 100 ml of non-carbonated mineral water.

We mix the ingredients in the required proportions and pour into a mold for making ice. Put in freezer until chilled.

We wipe the face with clay water ice cubes 2-3 times a day - perfectly tones, refreshes, improves complexion and tightens pores.

A mask that replaces cleaning at a beautician

• 1 st. a spoonful of clay powder;
• 1 teaspoon badyagi powder;
• warm water.

We mix all the components, apply on the face for 20 minutes, rinse with warm running water.

Such a composition deeply cleanses the skin, effectively fights against various kinds of skin defects: irritation, acne, acne, post-acne, black dots, wen, etc. Do not use this mixture if there are scratches or wounds on the skin.

Despite the excellent effect, do not use this mask often, especially for dry and thin skin. A weekly application is enough to bring your skin in order and further maintain the achieved effect.

There are many other cosmetic compositions and recipes with blue clay for the face. Do not be afraid to experiment - clay will not harm the skin.

Scrub with blue clay for the face

To make a clay scrub at home, take a thick clay mixture diluted with water and add any scrub particles to it:

• drunk coffee for a mild effect;
• finely ground coffee;
• fine salt, sea salt is better;
• ground shell particles of fruits or nuts - apricots, almonds, grapes, etc.

Toning recipes for the face with blue clay

In order to prepare tonic or tonic ice cubes for the face, we make clay water.

Clay water is prepared from 1 cup of purified water with the addition of 1 tablespoon of clay powder. Added, stirred - the tonic is ready. This clay water is often used for washing. It is suitable for use within 3 days from the date of preparation.

We can pour this water into ice cube trays and freeze it. Use 1 cube each to cleanse and tone the face and décolleté. The shelf life of clay ice cubes is much longer.

blue hair clay

Blue clay is more often than other types of colored clay used for hair care, as it is considered the most effective and beneficial. It has a unique composition of minerals and trace elements that gives curls when applied.

Oxides of silicon, aluminum, compounds of iron, lithium, potassium, manganese, sodium, copper - all this creates an ideal and unique cocktail for healing hair and scalp.

If you regularly use clay masks, you can:

• cope with baldness and prevent hair loss;
• eliminate itching, irritation and flaking of the scalp;
• get rid of dandruff;
• accelerate the growth of the hair shaft;
• eliminate fragility and minimize the cross section of the tips;
• strengthen hair follicles;
• clean the hair from dirt and excess fat;
• give a radiant appearance and healthy shine to the strands;
• increase the volume of the hairstyle;
• achieve ease in combing the strands;
• normalize weakened, overdried or damaged curls;
• neutralize the aggressive influence of the environment on the hair.

Clay treatments are equally beneficial for all hair types. They are successfully used by both men and women. The period of pregnancy and lactation is no exception.

Clay masks and rinses should not be used only in case of allergy to clay components (which rarely happens) or in case of infectious diseases of the scalp.

Eczema, inflammation, scratches or abrasions are not contraindications to the use of a clay mixture on the scalp. On the contrary, the clay mass will have a healing healing effect in these cases.

To properly make a mask, pay attention to the following points:

• Do not mix the components in a metal bowl or a metal spoon, as some trace elements from the composition of the clay will react chemically with the metal. To prepare the clay mixture, use glass, wood, ceramic or porcelain items.
• Do not fill the clay with boiling water - this is how useful organic and protein substances in its composition are destroyed. Use warm water, previously settled or purified. Do not take also carbonated or chlorinated to prevent unnecessary chemical reactions. Hard water is best softened by adding baking soda to it (1 teaspoon per liter of water).
• Use clay mixture immediately after preparation. A mixture prepared yesterday or a few days ago will not do any good. The reason lies in a large set of chemical compounds, mineral salts and trace elements in the composition of the clay mixture. In the settled mixture, it is separated into separate fractions, crystallizes and forms a precipitate. Such changes in the structure of clay entail the loss of most of its useful cosmetic properties.
• Before the procedure, do not wash your hair - the clay mixture will clean the strands on its own.

Hair masks

The benefits of blue clay for hair are invaluable. Masks with this component are used for brittle, dull, damaged hair.

The rules of use are simple:

1. After applying the mask, the head is tied with polyethylene or a special cap is put on. Wrapped in a towel.
2. After 30-40 minutes, wash your hair with any shampoo.

The following masks allow you to provide curls with beauty and natural shine:

1. The egg yolk must be beaten. Olive or (1 tsp) and honey (1 tsp) are introduced into it. Blue clay is diluted with the prepared mixture. The tool is suitable for brittle and dry curls.
2. Oily hair will suit this recipe. Rock (1 tablespoon) is combined with a small amount of water. Then apple cider vinegar (1 tablespoon) is introduced into the mixture. this remedy is applied to the head for 20-25 minutes.
3. You can eliminate hair loss in the following way. Onion juice (1 tsp), liquid honey (1 tsp) and lemon juice (1 tsp) are mixed. The mountain component is introduced. It must be introduced carefully until the desired consistency is formed. Apply the mask on horse hair for 30 minutes.

For dry hair, the following recipe is suitable:

• 3 table. spoons of clay;
• 3 table spoons of kefir, yogurt, whey or yogurt.

Add one of the indicated lactic acid products to the clay powder, stir until a homogeneous mass is obtained, which is similar in density to sour cream. Then apply, hold for 20-30 minutes, rinse.

To quickly increase the length of the strands, as well as for baldness, mix the following components:

• 3 table. spoons of clay powder
• half a teaspoon of hot red pepper or dry mustard powder;
• 3 table. spoons of burdock oil.

When you stand this mixture on your head, be guided by your own feelings: if it “bakes” a lot, don’t stand it, take off your shower cap. Hot red pepper and mustard give the mask a warming effect. Warming up the skin, they stimulate metabolic processes in the scalp, have an irritating effect on the nerve endings that send impulses to the hair follicle, awakening the “sleep”.

This mask, when used weekly, will help restore hair density during baldness, stop their further “loss”, and significantly accelerate the growth of the hair shaft.

From dandruff, a mixture of clay with non-carbonated mineral water is used, applied to the hair as a mask:

• 3 table spoons of clay powder;
• 3 table. spoons of mineral water.

From dandruff, the following method is also used: after each washing, the head is rinsed with clay water. Clay water is easy to prepare:

• 1 table spoon of clay;
• 1 liter of water.

After rinsing, wrap wet strands in a towel without wiping them. So be like 10 minutes and then rinse the water with clean tap water.

Wrap procedures

For those who want to correct body shape, improve skin condition, get rid of cellulite, stretch marks, the following recipes will come in handy:

1. Blue clay (100 g) is diluted with warm water. Add orange essential oil (3 drops) and cinnamon (3 tablespoons) to the mixture. Stir the product thoroughly, and apply to problem areas under the film. The duration of the procedure is 30-50 minutes. It is recommended to resort to this wrap three times a week. A total of 14 procedures will be needed.
2. Laminaria powder (0.5 tbsp.) is combined with clay (0.5 tbsp.). Such a composition is diluted with water. The product should be infused for about 20 minutes. Then lemon oil (0.5 tsp) is added to the mixture. The duration of the wrap should not exceed 40 minutes. It will take at least 10 procedures.
3. Also popular is the use of blue clay as body wraps for weight loss. To do this, dilute 100 g of blue powder in water to the consistency of thick sour cream, adding 1 tsp. cinnamon, a few drops of ginger essential oil. Pre-problem areas of the body are cleaned of keratinized skin particles with a scrub.

Therapeutic uses of blue clay

The benefits of blue clay are evaluated by official medicine. The component is used in many physiotherapy rooms, in sanatorium treatment. It is mainly used for the treatment of diseases of the spine, joints.

For women who decide to improve their body at home, the following recipes will help.

Joint treatment

Therapeutic baths

With ailments of the spine of the joints, a water procedure will benefit:

1. In warm water, add pre-diluted blue clay. The ratio of components is as follows: for 5-6 liters of water - 2 tbsp. l. powder.
2. Take a bath for about 15 minutes.
3. After the procedure, you need to rinse the body and go to bed. This event is best done at night.

Effective compresses

With pathologies of the joints, the following remedy will be the salvation:

1. The rock is diluted with water until a thick paste is formed.
2. Such a remedy should be infused for a couple of hours.
3. Then the mixture is heated in a water bath to a temperature of 40-45 C.
4. The composition is spread on gauze and the diseased joint is wrapped with a compress. Fix the bandage with a bandage and insulate.
5. The compress is kept until the clay cools completely, approximately 30-40 minutes.

Such compresses can reduce the negative symptoms of arthritis, arthrosis. They will bring relief from rheumatism and a number of other diseases.

Fighting corns and heel spurs

Baths perfectly help to cope with these pathologies:

1. Clay powder is diluted in water, in proportions: for 3 liters of liquid - 1 tbsp. l. breeds.
2. Lower your feet into the pelvis. The duration of the procedure is 15-20 minutes.

Treatment of skin diseases

People suffering from neurodermatitis, eczema, furunculosis need to know how blue clay is useful. It perfectly fights against various negative manifestations on the skin.

Use a mountain product in the form of lotions:

1. The main component is diluted with water until a thick slurry is formed.
2. The resulting product is applied to gauze or cotton fabric.
3. Such a lotion is applied to the affected area and covered with a napkin.
4. After 1 hour, the product is removed. The skin is washed with water (preferably boiled).

Rubbing

Rubbing with clay will relieve some dermatological diseases, gout, symptoms of rheumatism and sciatica. In 100 ml of water, dilute 1 tbsp. l. powder and in this solution moisten a cotton swab, which wipe the sore spot. Rubbing should be done daily for 10-15 days.

Applications

To make an application, you need to dissolve the powder (50-70 g) in a small amount of water in such a way as to make a cake out of it. Its thickness must be at least 1 cm.

A clay cake is laid out on a damp cloth (usually gauze is taken for this purpose) and applied to the problem area. In this way, you can get rid of inflammation in any part of the body. The powder effectively draws out pus from inside the wound.

Massages

Blue clay, the use of which is justified in the process of fighting cellulite, is also used for massages. To do this, take 50 g of powder, 1 egg yolk, 1 tbsp. cream, a few drops of essential oil (orange, lemon, rosemary) and mix until smooth. This mixture is used in place of regular petroleum jelly or olive oil.

The course of such a massage is 10 procedures. After it, you can see with the naked eye how the skin tightened, the “orange peel” decreased, small wrinkles smoothed out.

Oral use

Ingestion of clay is an excellent therapy for many ailments:

• stomach ulcers;
• jaundice;
• diarrhea, bloating;
• asthma;
• cirrhosis;
• pulmonary tuberculosis;
• anemia;
• paralysis;
• atherosclerosis;
• disturbed metabolism;
• cholelithiasis and urolithiasis;
• epilepsy.

A generic medicine is prepared as follows:

1. Blue clay (20 g) is diluted with warm water (50 ml).
2. Use the infusion 15-20 minutes before meals.
3. The recommended course of therapy is 1-2 weeks. After it, you need to take a break for 10 days. Then repeat the treatment, which now lasts 1 week.

If there are problems with the gums or teeth, you need 1 tsp. take blue clay into your mouth and allow the powder to mix with saliva, then swallow. It is problematic to do this without water, so you need to drink it in small sips.

It is not worth interrupting the course of treatment, which lasts 21 days. If you have a trip, it is better to mix the powder with a little water in advance and make hazelnut-sized balls out of it. They can be swallowed without chewing.

The best time to take it is in the morning, 20-30 minutes before breakfast. If it is more acceptable to do this in the evening, then the time interval between the meal and the clay cocktail should be at least an hour.

Constipation is a side effect. Often they are observed in the first days of applying blue clay. The method of using the powder inside in this case needs to be changed - drink a lot of clay water with a low content throughout the day.

The total period of taking blue clay inside can be calculated for months until the moment when laboratory tests confirm the absence of health problems. However, after each 21-day course, you need to take a break for a period of 7 days.

If you start drinking blue clay when you are overweight, you will notice a loss of several kilograms very soon. This is due to the excellent ability of the powder to cleanse the intestines, removing everything that “sticks” to its walls throughout life.

Contraindications for use

Like any remedy, blue clay has some limitations.

Contraindications for use:

• do not use clay on inflamed skin and do not apply to open wounds;
• in case of varicose veins, wrapping procedures are prohibited;
• with thyroid ailments and some other diseases of the endocrine system, clay should not be taken internally.

And be sure to test for sensitivity to this substance to avoid the occurrence of allergic reactions.

Blue clay is a real source of beauty and health. This component is always ready to help you. But do not forget to strictly follow the rules for its use. In this case, your beauty will be polished and shine like a diamond, causing the admiring glances of the stronger half and the good envy of your friends.

Clay is a mineral that has found wide application in various spheres of life. This rather complex rock can be represented by different composition and properties. The conditions for the formation of different types of clays also differ significantly.

What is clay?

Geological science has been studying rocks for a long time. Scientists have found that clay, not contaminated with impurities, consists of small particles. The dust diameter does not exceed 0.01 mm. These are particles that belong to a certain group of minerals. It is no coincidence that the use of clay has become widespread. The rock is a tangled chemical compound, which includes water, silicon and aluminum.

Clays under the influence of liquid change their properties. Depending on the amount of water that is added to the rock particles, a plastic mass or lime can form. The liquid with the addition of clay has a high degree of viscosity. This property is widely used in the construction and repair industries.

Clay properties

The properties of any rock are completely dependent on the composition. Clay is no exception. The size of the constituent particles also matters. In a mixture with the rock is able to form a viscous dough. This property is widely used in various spheres of life. Clay swells in water. As a result, it can be used very sparingly. In its raw form, clay dough is able to maintain absolutely any shape. Nothing can be changed after freezing. And in order for the product to be preserved for a long time, it is fired. Under the influence of high temperatures, the clay becomes even stronger and more durable.

When describing the basic properties of clay, one cannot help but recall the water resistance. After the rock particles are saturated with the required amount of liquid, it no longer allows moisture to pass through itself. This property is also widely used in construction.

Separate grades of clays are able to purify petroleum products. The same properties of clay are used to purify vegetable fats and oils. Thanks to this, people can consume products without harmful impurities. Clay absorbs from liquids which can be harmful to health. For the same reason, certain types of rocks are used in cosmetology.

What are clays?

In nature, there are a huge number of types of clays. All of them have found their application in one or another sphere of life. Kaolin is a light-colored clay that is less plastic than other types. It is this breed that is most often used in the paper industry, as well as in the manufacture of dishes.

Refractory clay deserves special attention. This substance is white or light gray in color, which can withstand temperatures above 1500 degrees during firing. Under the influence of high temperature, refractory clay does not soften and does not lose its useful properties. The rock is widely used in the manufacture of porcelain products, as well as in interior decoration. Facing tiles made of refractory clay are considered popular.

Molding clays can also be fired at sufficiently high temperatures. They differ in high plasticity. Such refractory clay can be used in metallurgy. With its help, special binder molds for metal casting are made.

In construction, cement clays are most often used. These are substances of a grayish hue with an admixture of magnesium. Clay is used for the manufacture of various finishing products, as well as a link in construction work.

How and where is clay mined?

Clay is a mineral that is not rare today. The substance can be easily extracted from the earth. It is easiest to detect the substance in those places where rivers used to flow. Clay is considered to be a product of sedimentary rock and the earth's crust. On an industrial scale, clay is mined using excavators. The machine cuts large layers of the earth. In this way, much more minerals can be extracted. The problem is that clay in most cases lies in layers.

Entire quarries serve as places for the extraction of clay. Work begins with the removal of the topsoil. Most often, clay can be found already at a distance of half a meter from the top. Usually easy to process can be on the surface itself. In some cases, a mineral can be found under groundwater. In this case, the team installs a special drainage to divert water.

Winter is not a hindrance to mining. In order to avoid freezing of the soil, it is insulated with sawdust and other substances with a low level of thermal conductivity. The thickness of the insulation sometimes reaches 50 cm. Already mined clay is also protected from freezing. It is covered with a tarp or other similar material that can keep the right temperature until the clay is delivered to the warehouse.

Clay in construction

In the construction industry, clay has been used since the first days of its discovery. Today, the material is widely used for the construction of houses in the southern regions. Thanks to the properties of the fossil, the houses are cool in summer and warm and cozy in winter. For the manufacture of blocks, only a little sand, clay and straw are taken. After hardening, a durable building material is obtained that does not lend itself to any natural factors.

What is the best clay for building houses, experts answer unambiguously. The most suitable is cement clay. Facing tiles are also often made from this material. With the help of such decoration, you can not only decorate the room, but also protect it from fire. After all, cement clay is also refractory.

Clay utensils

Clay cutlery is not only beautiful, but also useful. The material is environmentally friendly. Do not be afraid that the dishes under the influence of high temperature will emit substances harmful to health. Many associate the use of clay with the manufacture of plates, pots and vases. Today, dishes from this material are made on an industrial scale. Everyone can purchase a service made of quality material that can last for a long time.

Handwork is much more appreciated. Entire exhibitions are organized where craftsmen can boast of their products. Here you can also buy high-quality pottery. The main thing is that the product is made in a single copy. But the price will be corresponding.

Clay modeling with children

Making various products with clay can be a very exciting and fun activity for a child. Modeling contributes to mental development, improves the motor skills of children's hands. The kid can show imagination at his own pleasure. And what can be done from clay, parents will always tell you.

Clay modeling requires careful preparation. It should be remembered that not all clothes can be washed from a mineral. And the child will definitely put spots. Therefore, the baby should be dressed in a working uniform, and the table should be covered with oilcloth. What can be done from clay in the first place? First of all, you should sculpt simple oval figures. It can be animals or funny people. With an older child, you can make a plate and a spoon. After hardening, the product can be painted. It will look original and can last for a long time. But it is worth remembering that clay without firing is quite fragile.

The use of clay in medicine

Even in ancient times, people noticed the beneficial properties of clay and began to use them for medicinal purposes. Some types of minerals have an anti-inflammatory effect. Because of this, they are used to treat various skin diseases. Clay quickly helps to cope with burns, acne and eczema. But in no case should you self-medicate. Certain types of clay have different properties. Only a specialist will be able to choose the right material and apply it correctly to the sore spot. Without the necessary knowledge and skills, only harm can be done.

Clay is a mineral that is a source of many minerals, vitamins and trace elements. Some varieties of rock can also be taken orally. Clay is an excellent source of radium. At the same time, the body absorbs the amount of useful substance that is necessary for normal life.

Clay is able to remove toxins from the blood, as well as normalize metabolism. Due to this, it is often used for various types of poisoning. The powder is taken orally in a small amount, washed down with water. But only certain types of clay can be used for medicinal purposes.

Clay in cosmetology

Many girls often use cosmetic clay to improve their appearance. The mineral is able to even out skin tone, rid the face of acne, and thighs from fat deposits. Various types of clay are used for cosmetic purposes. All of them have their own characteristics and properties.

For facial rejuvenation, white mineral clay is most often used. The photos of women who have used this product for facial enhancement are impressive. Mimic wrinkles are really smoothed out, and age spots disappear completely. For girls with oily skin and large pores, substances are also perfect - information that can be read on the package. But it is still better to use any clay after consulting a beautician.

Application of blue clay

This rock has good anti-inflammatory properties. It contains salts and minerals necessary for normal functioning. Blue clay masks should be done by people who are prone to skin rashes. With the help of a natural substance, acne and comedones are perfectly treated.

With the help of blue clay, you can also make the skin lighter. 10 procedures will help to get rid of freckles and age spots for a long time. In addition, it perfectly smoothes superficial mimic wrinkles.

green clay

This substance is also widely used in cosmetology. Green clay has excellent absorbent properties. Thanks to this, it is possible to quickly cleanse the body of harmful substances and toxins. Clay can be applied both on the face and on the whole body.

Wraps using green clay are considered popular. The mineral helps to restore the body's water balance and remove excess moisture. This property helps girls get rid of cellulite, as well as make the skin more even and smooth.

red clay

The most optimal for people who are prone to allergic reactions will be red clay. This substance has a special shade due to the content of copper and iron oxide in it. Only the extracted substance cannot be immediately used in cosmetology. Making clay for various masks is a labor-intensive process. It is red clay that is being prepared for use with special attention. The breed is cleared of various harmful impurities that can harm the skin.

Red clay masks perfectly relieve redness and skin irritation. The material is also widely used in medicine. Red clay contributes to the speedy and makes postoperative scars less noticeable.

Foreword

The discovery of new mineral reserves is the most important national economic task in any country. At the dawn of socialism in Russia, attempts were made to solve this problem not only by geologists, but also by the general population. A large and honorable role in its solution belonged to young people - members of the Komsomol, schoolchildren, young workers and collective farmers. And such a contribution was made by them.

Now the expanses of our vast planet are still fraught with a lot of unexplored minerals and minerals. Their search can not only be useful, but also a pleasure, and knowledge in this area will allow you to broaden your horizons, learn more about the fascinating world of minerals in your homeland, the Earth.

The search and exploration of minerals is not only important, but also exciting. In fact, what could be more interesting and exciting than organized summer trips around the native land in order to study and discover its natural mineral wealth?! These riches are not only in the deposits of gold, diamonds and other similar valuable minerals. Mineral wealth can be, for example, in the most common, familiar to all clays.

Clays are important and essential minerals for many branches of the national economy. For example, a variety of clays - kaolin - is the main raw material for the porcelain and faience and paper industries. For the manufacture of refractory products, “refractory clays are used. Molding clays are used in the foundry industry. Brick clays serve as the main raw material for brick production. The grandiose industrial and residential construction requires huge quantities of brick clays for the production of bricks.

This story about clay contains instructions for young explorers of the bowels and adult seekers of good adventures about the importance of various types of clay for our national economy and about the simplest ways to find their deposits.

What is clay?

Clay is a widespread rock. Clay is a rock that is very complex and unstable both in terms of the composition of its constituent minerals and in terms of physical and technological properties. The conditions for the formation of clays are also extremely diverse.

Geological science has established with certainty that pure clays, i.e., not contaminated with various impurities, are rocks consisting of very small particles (about 0.01 mm or less), and these particles belong to certain minerals. Many researchers call them "clay" minerals. These minerals are complex chemical compounds that include aluminum, silicon and water. In mineralogy, they are called hydrous aluminosilicates.

Clays have the ability to soak, dissolve in water into separate particles, forming, depending on the amount of water, either plastic dough or “suspension” (turbidity), i.e. such liquid mixtures in which the smallest particles of clay are in suspension. Such clay suspensions have a pronounced viscosity.

Therefore, clay can be defined as an earthy rock, consisting mainly of aqueous aluminosilicates with a particle size of less than 0.01 mm, which readily dissolves in water, with the formation of viscous suspensions or plastic dough, which retains its shape after drying and acquires the hardness of a stone after firing. .

How clay is formed

In order to understand the origin of clays, it is necessary to dwell at least briefly on the question of the origin of rocks in general. The earth's crust is made up of rocks formed at different times and under different conditions. Primary are "igneous" rocks (deep and erupted), which are solidified magma.

Magma is the molten mass of mineral substances located inside the earth. It can solidify near the surface without breaking through the earth's crust; in cavities with reduced pressure, forming deep rocks (granite, aplite, gabbro, etc.), and also come to the surface in the form of lava, as happens during volcanic eruptions. In the latter case, igneous rocks are called erupted (diabases, basalts, trachytes, etc.).

During the period of their long geological life, these primary rocks are exposed to the influence of the diverse forces of nature, which process them into new rocks that differ sharply from the parent ones. If such processing takes place on the surface of the earth or "in the immediate vicinity of it, new rocks arise - sedimentary (sands, clays, limestones, gypsum, etc.). If they are processed in the deep parts of the earth's interior at high temperatures and high pressures, metamorphic rocks are formed. rocks (gneisses, shales, quartzites, etc.).

The material for the formation of sedimentary rocks can be not only igneous, but also metamorphic rocks, if for some reason they protrude to the surface. At the same time, metamorphic rocks can also arise from sedimentary ones, if the latter are buried to a great depth and are under pressure from overlying rocks. These three types of rocks - igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic - form the entire solid shell of our Earth - its lithosphere.

Clays are classified as sedimentary rocks. The formation of clays, like other sedimentary rocks, is associated with two processes: the chemical decomposition of the original (parent) rocks and their physical destruction. In nature, these processes do not occur separately, but together. The forces that break up solid rocks and turn them into loose sedimentary rocks are combined under the common geological name "weathering".

There are three types of weathering: physical, chemical and organic. Physical weathering is the mechanical destruction (crushing) of rocks without changing their chemical and mineral composition.

Heat and cold are the main forces of physical weathering. As you know, the sun sends enormous thermal energy to the earth. During the day, the sun's rays heat the surface of the earth, at night it cools. The fluctuation between day and night temperatures in some parts of the globe reaches 40-50°. A change in temperature leads to cracking of rocks and their gradual destruction, which is facilitated by water and wind. Penetrating into the cracks and freezing in them, the water acts like a wedge - it breaks off huge blocks of stone, which roll down to the foot of the mountains and form huge screes around them. Large fragments under the influence of the same forces - temperature, water and wind - undergo further destruction, eventually turning into the finest sand and fine dust, carried by water into the sea basins.

Chemical weathering is the decomposition of rocks with the formation of new chemical and mineral substances. The intensity of the process of chemical weathering is directly dependent not only on the mineral composition of the decaying rock and external conditions, but also on the degree of its mechanical destruction. Chemical reactions are faster, easier and more complete with small particle sizes. Along with this, chemical decomposition itself accelerates the process of mechanical destruction.

Chemical weathering is caused by gases (primarily atmospheric air), water and salts dissolved in it. Penetrating through cracks into rocks, water, saturated with oxygen, carbon dioxide and other substances, decomposes the minerals it encounters along the way, dissolves and carries away some chemical elements and deposits others in the rocks.

Organic weathering is the destruction of rocks as a result of the vital activity of plants and animals. Penetrating their roots into cracks, plants split rocks into pieces. At the same time, the roots of plants, releasing acids, and during decay, also carbon dioxide, destroy the rocks chemically. Huge colonies of microorganisms that cover the surface of rocks in the form of lichens, as well as an innumerable number of bacteria that inhabit the soil and the bottom of reservoirs, in turn tirelessly destroy and modify rocks.

Thus, extremely complex and lengthy processes of transformation of some minerals into others take place on the surface of the earth and near it. It is as a result of these processes of destruction of primary hard rocks and processing of minerals that clays are formed.

Of the "clay" minerals, kaolinite is the most studied. It is a combination of silicon oxide, aluminum oxide and water. Its crystals, when viewed under a microscope, have the form of small plates or flakes. Kaolinite is formed as a result of surface chemical weathering in an acidic environment of both igneous and metamorphic and sedimentary rocks containing mainly mica and feldspar. Particularly pure kaolin clays are formed during the chemical weathering of granites, pegmatites, aplites, and others. Kaolinite is composed of clays of a very valuable white variety—kaolin and some refractory clays.

Another clay mineral is halloysite. It is similar in chemical composition to kaolinite, but contains slightly more water. Its crystals, when viewed under a microscope, are in the form of needles. An admixture of "iron" is often observed in it. It is formed mainly under conditions of an alkaline and neutral environment. The initial rocks are usually gabbro, diabase, etc.

Finally, a typical clay mineral is montmorillonite, a very common mineral in soils and many marine clays. Especially pure montmorillonite clays used in the oil industry (for oil refining) are formed as a result of the chemical decomposition of volcanic activity products: ash, lavas, tuffs, etc. When viewed under a microscope, this mineral turns out to be composed of extremely small scales, leaves and fibrous secretions. Its feature is the ability to greatly "swell" under the influence of water.

Depending on the methods of formation, the nature and form of occurrence of clays are different.

Clay deposits, formed mainly as a result of chemical weathering (“residual” deposits), usually have a cloak-like form of occurrence, are distinguished by great thickness (up to 100 m or more) and spread over large areas.

Kaolinite is the most typical mineral for these deposits. It makes up from 10-20 to 100% of such "residual" deposits. Clay deposits resulting from erosion, transport and secondary deposition of clay particles of residual deposits are characterized by pronounced layering, relatively small thickness and diversity of the chemical composition of individual layers. The distribution area of ​​these deposits can vary widely.

Clay properties

The properties of clays depend entirely on their chemical and mineral composition, as well as on the size of their constituent particles. These are already. facts point us to the most important properties of clays.

The most important properties of clays are:

• the ability "in a mixture with water to form thin "suspensions" (cloudy puddles) and viscous dough;
• ability to swell in water;
• plasticity of clay dough, i.e., the ability to take and maintain any form in its raw form;
• the ability to retain this shape even after "drying with a decrease in volume;
• stickiness;
• binding ability;
• water resistance, i.e., the ability, after saturation with a certain amount of water, not to pass water through itself.

Various products are made from clay dough - jugs, pots, pots, bowls, etc., which, after firing, become completely solid and do not let water through. Brick factories produce building bricks from clay, which also have high mechanical strength. This indicates another important property of clay - its ability to harden after firing, giving a material that does not soak in water and is impervious to it.

Clays can be of all colors - from white to black. In the Ukraine and in some other regions of the USSR, white clay serves as a material for whitewashing walls, stoves, etc. When they want to paint the walls in colored tones, they take yellow, red, green and other clays. Thus, here we are dealing with a new property of clay - with its coloring and covering ability.

Some types of clays are used in oil refineries to refine petroleum products. They are also used to purify vegetable oils and fats. Thus, we are faced with another property of clay: its ability to absorb certain substances dissolved in it from a liquid. In technology, this property is called "sorption capacity".

Due to the fact that clays contain a large amount of aluminum oxide, they are also used as chemical raw materials, mainly for the production of sulfate salts of this metal.

These are the most important properties of clays, on which numerous types of their practical use are based. Of course, not all clays and not to the same extent have the listed properties.

Varieties of clays

The most valuable for the national economy are the following types of clay:

Kaolin is a white clay. It mainly consists of the mineral kaolinite. Usually less plastic than other white clays. It is the main raw material for the porcelain and faience and paper industries.

Refractory clays. These clays are characterized by white and gray-white color, sometimes with a slightly yellowish tint. During firing, they must withstand a temperature of at least 1580 ° without softening. The main minerals forming them are kaolinite and hydromicas. Their plasticity may be different. These clays are used for the production of refractory and porcelain-faience products.

Acid-resistant clays. These clays are a type of refractory clay with small amounts of iron, magnesium, calcium and sulfur. Used for chemical porcelain and faience products.

molding clays- a variety of refractory clays with increased plasticity and increased binding ability. They are used as a binding material in the manufacture of molds for metallurgical castings. Sometimes refractory clays are also used for these purposes (less stable during firing than refractory ones) and even fusible-bentonite clays.

cement clay have different colors and different mineral composition. Magnesium is a harmful impurity. These clays are used to produce Portland cement.

brick clay- fusible, usually with a significant admixture of quartz sand. Their mineral composition and color may vary. These clays are used to make bricks.

Bentonite clays. The main mineral forming them is montmorillonite. Their color is different. They swell a lot in water. They have a higher bleaching power than other clays. These clays are used to purify petroleum products, vegetable and lubricating oils, when drilling wells, and sometimes, as noted earlier, in the manufacture of foundry molds.

In industry and technology, other types of clays are often called: pottery, tiling, fulling, ceramic, drilling, faience, porcelain, capsule, building, colorful, etc. However, these names practically do not characterize the special properties of clays.

In production practice, there is also a division of clay into "fat" and "lean" (sandy loam, loam). Such a division of clays is associated with the degree of contamination with quartz sand. Quartz sand is the most common and almost always the predominant admixture in clays, especially in residual clay deposits. There is little sand in "fat" clays, and a lot of it in "skinny" clays.

As already mentioned, clays are widespread in nature and usually occur at a shallow depth from the surface. All this makes them a cheap type of mineral raw materials. However, transporting them over long distances is impractical. Therefore, they try to use them as mineral raw materials on the spot whenever possible. For example, all brick and tile factories are necessarily built on the clay deposit itself, since it is much more expedient to bring more expensive fuel to the factory than huge masses of wet and very heavy clay.

However, not all types of clays are found everywhere. Some varieties of them occur only in certain, few areas. Meanwhile, the demand for them is very high, and consumers (factories, construction sites, etc.) are often many hundreds and even thousands of kilometers away from the place of production. In such cases, long-distance transportation of clay becomes inevitable.

The most rare clays are primarily high-grade bentonite clays and all varieties of white clays - kaolins, porcelain, faience, refractory, molding and acid-resistant. It is on the search for these rare varieties of clays that the greatest attention should be paid.

Serious assistance in identifying such valuable varieties of clay can and should be provided to the state by voluntary prospectors of the subsoil. The white color of the clay makes it extremely easy to find them. Layers of white clay are visible in outcrops along river banks and in ravines.

However, it must be borne in mind that not only clays have a white color, but also a number of other rocks, in particular, pure quartz sands and especially chalk. In some places, the population calls chalk "clay", although it has nothing to do with clay either in its chemical composition or in its properties. When mixed with water, chalk, like clay, smears well and may even seem plastic, but it is enough to drop a drop of hydrochloric acid on it, as it immediately reveals its chemical nature: the acid begins to boil, as it were, from the release of carbon dioxide. This reaction of the rock to hydrochloric acid indicates that it is chalk, not clay.

White quartz sand is even easier to distinguish from white clay. It is absolutely non-plastic and crumbles when dried even from a light touch.

Application of clays

Clays are mineral raw materials of mass consumption. They, as already noted, are used in a wide variety of sectors of the national economy, for a variety of purposes. The following areas of industrial application of clays are of the greatest national economic importance:

Ceramics

Ceramics is one of the most ancient forms of human exploration of mineral nature. Scientists have established that the most ancient pottery made from Nile silt dates back to the 1st century BC, in other words, they are over 13,000 years old. On the European continent, dishes of an even earlier time, made by a man of the Ice Age, were found, dating back over 15,000 years.

The Egyptians and Assyrians possessed an extremely high technology of ceramic production. In particular, they knew how to cover their pottery with colored glazes. The ancient Greeks and Romans achieved special perfection in ceramics, as evidenced by the Greek black-figure and red-figure vases, remarkable for the beauty of their forms and fine artistic taste.

The peoples of Asia also achieved remarkable success in ceramics. Suffice it to point to the production of the finest porcelain tableware, which began in China about 4,000 years ago.

In Russia, artistic ceramics has its own rich history. During excavations near Kerch, clay vessels and figurines dating back to the 4th-6th centuries of our era were found. In the Middle Ages, ceramics became a favorite decorative material for the builders of ancient Russian cathedrals in Vladimir, Suzdal, Novgorod, etc. Remarkable examples of artistic tiles dating back to about the 15th and 16th centuries can still be seen in St. Basil's Cathedrals in Moscow and Willows. Kolomna near Moscow.

In Pavlovsk, Kuskovsky, Ostankino and other palace-museums in Moscow, Leningrad and other cities, collections of works of Russian national ceramics, amazing in their beauty and originality, created by the talented hands of serf artists, have been preserved. Great merits in the development of Russian artistic ceramics belong to Lomonosov's contemporary, the prominent scientist D. I. Vinogradov, who created Russian porcelain.

Simultaneously with the development of porcelain production and artistic ceramics, the production of other types of ceramic products also developed, primarily building materials: bricks and tiles, refractory supplies, dishes, etc. The modern ceramics industry of the USSR is an advanced large-scale machine production. It unites a large number of factories and factories producing products for various technical purposes.

Currently, not only clays, but also such rocks as talc, pyrophyllite, magnesite, dolomite, corundum, diaspore, kyanite, etc. serve as raw materials for the production of ceramic products. However, clays continue to occupy the first place among them.

The largest and most important branches of the ceramic industry for the national economy are as follows:

The production of refractory supplies (bricks, beams, crucibles, etc.) plays an extremely important role in the national economy. Refractories are especially needed in ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, cement production, glass, fine-ceramic and chemical industries. Refractory products are those that can withstand without softening a temperature of 1580 ° or more. Refractory bricks are mainly used for lining furnaces in which heat treatment of certain materials is carried out.

Refractory products made of clay, depending on the feedstock and the content of aluminum oxide (alumina) in them, are divided into fireclay and semi-acid.

Fireclay products are called products that are made from a mixture of raw refractory clay and fireclay, which is also refractory clay, but previously fired and ground into powder. Alumina in fireclay products should contain at least 30%.

Chamotte is a “leaning” additive, i.e. such an additive that reduces the plasticity and shrinkage of the product, which is inevitable during its drying and firing.

Semi-acid products contain less than 30% alumina and more than 65% silica (silicon oxide); they are also made of chamotte and refractory clay, but with the addition of quartz material.

Thus, the main raw material for the production of fireclay and semi-acid refractories is refractory clay, which can withstand temperatures not lower than 1580°. Sometimes kaolin is also used as such a raw material.

Harmful impurities that reduce the fire resistance of clays are iron oxides, the content of which should not exceed 3.5%, and minerals with the presence of alkali (mica, feldspar), the content of which in clay should not exceed 2%. Lime is also harmful; it is allowed in an amount of not more than 1-1.5%.

Porcelain and earthenware production (fine ceramics) is the second largest consumer of ceramic clays. Porcelain and faience products differ from other ceramic products with a white shard. The difference between porcelain and earthenware lies in the degree of porosity of the shard: the porosity of faience is from 10 to 14%, while the porosity of porcelain does not exceed 0.5%.

The main raw material for fine ceramics is kaolin. Quartz or quartz sand is introduced into porcelain-faience masses as a lean additive, feldspar is used as a flux that lowers the firing temperature; the binding material is light-burning refractory plastic clay. Since these clays usually reduce the whiteness and translucency of porcelain, they are tried to be added in a minimal amount. This is possible only if the clay used has a high binding capacity.

The firing of porcelain and faience products is carried out at a temperature of 1350 °. It is very important that in kaolin and in other minerals - components of porcelain and faience masses - there should be as little iron as possible, the admixture of which not only reduces the overall whiteness of the crock, but also forms black spots and dots (“flies”) on it, significantly depreciating products. The content of iron compounds in clays used in the production of artistic porcelain should not exceed 0.5-0.9%.

Brick production is the largest consumer of clays. It does not impose particularly strict requirements on raw materials. For the production of ordinary building bricks, widely used low-melting sandy (“lean”) clays of any color are used. Deposits of such clays are found almost everywhere and a large number of local brick factories are based on them.

In addition to "lean" clays, brick production can also use "fat" plastic clays, however, in this case, quartz sand is added to them to make the bricks more stable during drying and firing. Brick clay should not contain crushed stone, pebbles, gravel, large pieces of limestone, gypsum and other impurities. The firing of building bricks is carried out at a temperature of 900-1000 °.

Along with small brick factories serving small consumers, in our country, near large industrial centers and large new buildings, powerful, fully mechanized enterprises are being created, which annually produce many millions of bricks. Such enterprises require powerful raw material bases, the preparation of which is the most important national economic task.

The production of "stone goods" includes the manufacture of sewer pipes, wall and floor tiles, chemical utensils, etc. These products are characterized by a dense sintered colored shard. In this production, fine-grained plastic refractory and refractory clays of various colors are used.

Pottery (jugs, pots, bowls, pots, etc.) is made mainly by handicrafts. For its manufacture, ferruginous, not very greasy, mostly fine-grained clays are used.

Cement production

Portland cement is a finely ground powder obtained from a mixture of clay and limestone fired at a temperature of 1450-1500 ° (with a small addition of gypsum). This fired mixture is called "clinker" in the technique. Clinker can be prepared either from marl, which is a natural mixture of limestone and clay, or from an artificial mixture of them in approximately a ratio of 1 part clay and 3 parts limestone.

The quality requirements for clays used in the Portland cement industry are not very strict. Widespread sandy brown and red clays are quite suitable, even with a very high iron content (up to 8-10%). Magnesium oxide is a harmful impurity. The presence of coarse sand, pebbles, crushed stone and other large parts is not allowed. The possibility of using one or another type of clay largely depends on the chemical composition of the limestone mixed with it and is determined in almost every specific case.

Clay cement is a powder obtained by joint grinding of fired clay at a temperature of 750-900 °, dry slaked lime and gypsum in a ratio of 80: 20: 2.

Mold preparation

Casting of products from ferrous and non-ferrous metals is carried out in special molds. These forms are prepared from mixtures, the material for which is quartz sand and clay. Clay plays the role of a binding material, since quartz sand alone, without plasticity and binding ability, does not produce strong forms. The main technical requirement for foundry clays is their high binding capacity. In other words, they must be "fat". In addition, clay should not burn the mixture to the surface of the castings.

Depending on the metal being smelted, the sizes and shapes of the castings, clays of various mineral and chemical compositions are used. “Fatty” clays with the smallest possible particle size, sufficiently refractory, with a high content of alumina are preferred. In recent years, bentonite clays, which have an exceptionally high binding capacity, have been successfully used in foundry. Although they are not refractory and, moreover, even belong to the fusible type, however, their increased binding ability completely compensates for this shortcoming. It allows them to be introduced into the molding sand in an amount of about four to five times less than conventional refractory clays. And this contributes to better gas permeability of the form and reduces sticking. Harmful impurities in molding clays are feldspar, mica, limestone, as well as minerals containing sulfur. They lower the fire resistance of the clay and increase burnout.

Drilling of the wells

In recent years, clays have become widely used in the drilling of exploration and production wells. The exploration of minerals by rotary drilling with the extraction of samples of drilled rocks has become very widespread. Rotary drilling is carried out using special machines. The drill string consists of metal hollow rods, a core barrel and a drill bit tightly attached to each other. As the well deepens, the rod increases. Its upper end is attached to the machine, driven by a special engine.

When drilling wells from rocks with the help of a crown, cylindrical columns are drilled, called cores. The drilled core is pushed inside the core barrel as the crown deepens. To extract the core, the projectile rises to the surface from time to time. By stacking the cores in the order in which they were extracted, an accurate picture of the composition, structure, location and thickness of the drilled rocks is obtained.

For the successful operation of the drilling rig, a clay solution is introduced into the well. This solution is pumped into the well through the rod by a special pump. The solution jets, circulating through the well, capture small rock particles destroyed by the bit and carry them out. Clay mud performs, in addition, other extremely important functions, namely: a) forms a thin film impermeable to water on the walls of the well, which prevents the penetration of liquid through pores and cracks into the surrounding rocks; b) strengthens the walls and thus protects them from collapses; c) prevents the possibility of gas emissions from the well and the penetration of groundwater into them. In addition, the clay solution cools the drill bit, which becomes very hot during rotation.

Drilling technology has its own specific requirements for clays. They must be very fine-grained, highly ductile and free of sand, gypsum, limestone and salts. The most suitable for use in drilling are bentonite clays. However, other types of clays may be quite suitable for these purposes. Clays producing viscous muds with a daily sediment of no more than 1% and the presence of sand no more than 3-4% are quite suitable for the preparation of drilling muds.

Purification of petroleum products, organic oils and fats

Some clays have a high adsorption capacity and are used for bleaching (bleaching) various mineral and organic substances (kerosene, gasoline, vegetable oils, animal fats, fruit juices, etc.). They absorb various contaminants, mucus, resin, pigments, etc. For this purpose, clays consisting mainly of the mineral montmorillonite (bentonite and so-called subbentonite) are suitable. Some of them bleach well without any pre-treatment, others need it and are treated with sulfuric acid. The suitability of clay for bleaching is usually determined empirically, since its bleaching ability depends not only on the nature of the clay itself, but also on the conditions under which cleaning is carried out, and on the material composition of the material to be bleached.

paper industry

This industry uses a white variety of clay called kaolin. It consumes up to 35% of all kaolin production. It is introduced into the paper pulp as a filler in order to enhance the whiteness of the paper and make it denser and smoother. The smallest particles of kaolin, filling the gaps between the wood fibers from which the paper pulp is produced, dramatically increase the quality of the paper.

The main requirements of the paper industry for kaolin are white color and the absence of large grains of quartz sand. Large grains spoil not only paper, but also expensive units on which it is produced.

rubber industry

This industry also uses kaolin as a filler. Its introduction into rubber increases the mechanical properties of rubber. For the production of rubber products, it is important that the particles of kaolin are the smallest and that there are no large grains of quartz sand in it. Of the impurities for this production, iron, sulfur, copper and manganese are harmful. The moisture content in kaolin in this case should not exceed 0.5%.

Paint production

This branch of production uses fine-grained ferruginous clays, from which yellow, brown and red colors are produced. Well-known ocher, mummy and umber are prepared from such clays. The main requirements of paint production are their uniformity, fine grain, purity and color intensity. In addition, the clay must have good covering power.

Chemical industry

Among many other important products, the chemical industry produces aluminum sulphate for water purification. Its production consists in boiling clay with sulfuric acid, calcined at a temperature of 650 ° and crushed to 2 mm. To obtain aluminum sulphate, "fat" clays with a minimum sand content are most suitable. The color of the clay in this case does not play a role. The chemical industry also uses kaolin to make paint - ultramarine.

aluminum industry

This branch of industry uses a variety of clays, kaolin, to produce certain aluminum alloys. In the future, in this industry, along with kaolin, other white clays will undoubtedly find wide application. At present, effective methods have already been developed for obtaining pure alumina from low-iron clays, suitable for the manufacture of metallic aluminum.

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. Only in rare cases is a clay original fired. Fired, unglazed clay sculpture is called "terracotta", glazed - "majolica".

Other small consumers

There are many other industries that use clays. These include, for example, soap, perfume, textile, abrasive, pencil and a number of others.

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 quality improvement

There are a number of clay deposits that are not developed, because the quality of the clay does not meet the requirements of the consuming sectors of the national economy. For example, kaolins from many deposits are unsuitable for most industries due to the high content of quartz sand or coloring oxides (iron and titanium). There are many refractory clays, the use of which in industry is impossible due to the admixture of minerals that lower their softening point.

White clays in some cases are damaged by rust spots and smudges, which reduce the overall whiteness of the material. Such stains and smudges are removed by manually selecting yellow pieces going to the dump. Sometimes, to bleach the kaolin, it is washed in a weak solution of sulfuric acid. Clay is easily freed from sand by washing it with water in special machines and settling devices. With such washing, larger and heavier grains of sand easily and quickly fall to the bottom of the nearest settling chambers, and the smallest light particles of clay matter slowly settle in special settling tanks.

There are other ways to enrich clays, but they are used much less frequently. To increase the bleaching ability of clays, they are treated (activated) with sulfuric acid, and to give colorful clays the desired shades, they are sometimes subjected to special firing. In practice, enrichment of clays is used relatively rarely - only when it comes to varieties that are rarely found in nature (for example, kaolins, highly refractory and bentonite clays).

Such mass and not very demanding industries as brick, tile, pottery, cement, etc., use clays in their natural form.

Where and how to look for clay

Before you start looking for clay, you need to know for what purposes it is intended, because each industry, as we have seen, has its own requirements for clay.

If its future consumer is known, the task of searching is greatly facilitated, since at the first stage one can be guided by purely external features characteristic of clays of a given purpose. For example, white is typical of kaolins, as well as faience, porcelain and refractory clays.

Having determined the search area, it is necessary first of all to interview local residents, who can provide very valuable information about the occurrence of clays in this area. Then external signs indicating the presence of clay deposits are used. These signs are as follows:

• swampiness of the area;
• an abundance of streams and springs along the banks of rivers and ravines;
• low groundwater levels in wells.

All these features are related to the water resistance of the clay. They indicate its occurrence near the surface.

It is easiest to find deposits of clay by outcropping rocks in cliffs and along river banks. Layers of deposited rocks can lie horizontally, but they can also be located at some angle to the horizon line and even stand vertically. Geologists say about such layers that they are “put on their heads”. The position of individual layers in an outcrop depends on various reasons: the topography of the bottom of the reservoir, in which sediments accumulated, discharges that occurred after their accumulation, manifested near the banks of landslides, etc.

In appearance, it is usually difficult to distinguish clay from other rocks in an outcrop. The boundaries of individual layers are in most cases obscured by rain flows and scree. For a more reliable examination of outcrops, they are cleared. Then the boundaries of individual sediments, even with an insignificant thickness of the layers, are revealed quite clearly.

Clay in cleared outcrops is recognized without difficulty. It is enough to pinch off a small piece of rock and slightly knead it between your fingers (in case of insufficient moisture, moistening it with water), like clay, if this is it, is easily detected by a number of characteristic features. It does not crumble into separate grains, as happens with sand. It adheres to the skin and, easily yielding to even a slight pressure of the hand, takes and retains the shape given to it. The plasticity and pliability of clay sharply distinguish it from other sedimentary rocks, for example, from limestone or dolomite, interlayers of which are often found in outcrops.

If the "layer of clay has sufficient thickness (about 1-3 m) and a not very thick layer of other rocks (2-4 m) covers it from above, then the deposit may undoubtedly be of practical interest. In this case, it is necessary to make a schematic sketch of the cleared outcrop (section) on a scale. In a schematic section, not only clay layers are shown, but also layers of all overlying rocks and a layer of the underlying (underlying) rock. The sketch is supplied with a serial number and symbols that are assigned to individual rocks. Simultaneously in a notebook, which should be at the scout of the bowels, the serial number of the sketch is noted, a brief description of the section is given, the time and place of the sketch are indicated.

The approximate text of the entry in the book is as follows: “Section No. 4; May 25, 2008; right bank of the river SOSNOVKI, 300 m below the ferry at the village. Stepanovka and 0.5 km from the station. Ippolitovka. The height of the bank from the river level is 10 m, the thickness of the white clay layer is 0.5 m; thickness of overburden is 1.5 m.

Clay sampling

The color of clays, the depth of their occurrence and the thickness of the layers, determined at the outcrop, do not always allow us to assess their suitability for industrial use. The assessment of the suitability of clays for certain practical purposes can usually be given only as a result of studying their quality.

A sufficiently reliable and comprehensive study of the qualities of clays is carried out in laboratories using special instruments. For such studies, samples are needed that give a correct idea of ​​the mineral and chemical composition of clays, as well as the size of its particles throughout the thickness of the reservoir, from its upper to lower boundaries.

If only one layer of clay is found, and the clay is homogeneous in appearance, one general sample is taken. In the presence of several layers, as well as in case of heterogeneity of clay in each layer (by color, by degree of sandiness, etc.), a special sample is taken from each layer and each layer different from the others. Each sample is numbered. Sample numbers are also put on the sketch of outcrops at the place where they were taken.

Sampling in outcrops is carried out by the so-called "furrow method", which consists in excavating a certain amount of rock across the formation. The selection technique is very simple. At a previously cleaned place, through the entire layer from top to bottom, two parallel cuts about 20 cm deep each are made with a shovel or ax, at a distance of 10 cm from each other. Pieces of clay in the form of a tetrahedral or trihedral prism are cut out without gaps from the area marked in this way with the same shovel or knife.

With homogeneous clay, all pieces taken from a given cleaned area are mixed, and the sample is reduced to a weight of 2-3 kg. With heterogeneous clays and the presence of several layers, samples taken from individual layers are not mixed, but are reduced and packed separately for each layer or layer. Packing is made in small cloth bags or in paper. All samples, as indicated, are numbered. Each bag or package with a sample must contain a note indicating the number of the sample, as well as the layer and place from which it was taken. The same information is entered in the notebook, but with a more detailed description of the place where the sample was taken.

During layer-by-layer sampling on outcrop sketches, the number of samples taken in each layer is noted.

Clay testing in situ

For in-depth laboratory testing of clays, the selected samples are sent either to the nearest geological department or to another research organization engaged in the study of mineral raw materials, and in particular clays. Here, the mineral composition of the selected samples, their chemical composition and all the most important physical and technical properties of clays are studied.

But sending samples for scientifically qualified laboratory tests does not exclude the possibility of a preliminary assessment of some properties of clays by the discoverers of the deposits themselves, including voluntary prospectors of the bowels. For example, on the spot it is possible to approximately determine the degree of sandiness of clays. To do this, a pre-weighed amount of dried clay is soaked in a glass of clean water so that there is four times more water than clay. Then the sample in the beaker is thoroughly mixed. After the clay has completely dissolved, the sample is allowed to settle for 10-15 minutes. During this time, the sand, the size of the grains of which is much larger than the size of the clay particles, will settle to the bottom of the glass, and the clay particles will remain (in the form of turbidity) in suspension. After draining the liquid, the settled sand is dried and weighed. By dividing the weight of the sediment by the weight of the dry clay taken and multiplying the quotient of this division by 100, the percentage of sand content of the clay is obtained.

Without much difficulty, bentonite clays can be distinguished from kaolinite clays on the spot. To do this, a small piece of the test sample is immersed in water (on a saucer). Kaolinite clay will soon dissolve completely, forming a small cone, and bentonite clay, without blooming, will begin to rapidly increase in volume, retaining the original shape of the piece taken for a long time.

It is also easy to determine the bleaching properties of clay yourself. To do this, a certain amount of it is dried (at a temperature of 120-200 °) and then ground into the smallest powder. This powder is poured into a bottle (necessarily white glass) and polluted kerosene, gasoline, vegetable oil, etc. are poured into it, in an amount approximately three times greater than that of clay. The mixture in the bottle is shaken for 10-15 minutes and then allowed to settle. After that, they look at how much the poured oil or kerosene will brighten. The greater the lightening, the higher the bleaching properties of the clay.

It is very easy to determine the plasticity of clay on the spot. To do this, a small piece of clay is kneaded with water until a well-shaped dough is formed. Then the resulting dough is rolled out into a roller as thick as the index finger and 15-20 cm long, and this roller is gradually bent into a ring. Clays with high plasticity are bent into a ring easily and without cracking or tearing. It is not possible to obtain such a ring without cracks from lean low-plastic clays. The curvature of the arc before the formation of cracks serves as a measure of plasticity.

Color also to a certain extent characterizes the quality of the clay. White and light gray clays are always low in iron and are usually refractory or refractory. If their plasticity is low, a young mineral explorer can justifiably believe that he is dealing with kaolin. The red-yellow or red-brown color of the clay indicates that it does not have fire resistance and is suitable only for rough ceramics. The black color of the clay indicates a large admixture of organic matter in it. However, this still does not determine its technological properties. In a number of cases, such clays can turn out to be quite satisfactory ceramic raw materials, since after firing, organic impurities burn out and the color of the shard sometimes becomes almost white.

The presence of sand in clay can be easily determined by taking the clay "by the tooth". Clays that do not contain sand do not squeak on the teeth. The more sand in the clay, the stronger it will be felt on the teeth.

Blue clay is common not only in folk healing, but also in the areas of cosmetology. Today we will study its properties and use for the skin of the face, joints, cleansing the gastrointestinal tract, losing weight, fighting cellulite. Share your results in the comments, and also talk about the experience of using natural raw materials.

Blue Clay - General Properties

Improves blood circulation

Due to the fact that iron is present in the composition of the clay in a large volume, the quality of blood improves and its microcirculation accelerates. Also, raw materials seal the walls of blood vessels, cleanse the lymph from toxic substances.

Clears the gastrointestinal tract

At its core, blue clay is a natural absorbent that absorbs poisons and removes them from the body. If raw materials are taken orally, a complex detoxification can be carried out. Judging by the numerous reviews, along with cleansing, a person loses weight.

Pain reliever

Some do not know that a clay solution can be used orally to eliminate pain. Clay is also used externally as compresses, lotions, masks, etc.

Promotes healing

Due to its antibacterial properties, clay is often used to treat boils, wounds of various kinds, boils, burns, skin cracks, dermatitis, psoriasis, etc. In all these cases, the composition contributes to the speedy regeneration of tissues.

Rejuvenates the skin

Blue clay has established itself as the best remedy for facial skin rejuvenation. Below we will study the properties and application in this particular situation. In short, natural raw materials replenish collagen production, smooth out creases, nourish, saturate tissues with moisture and oxygen, and eliminate pigmentation.

Strengthens the immune system

To increase the protective functions of the body, it is necessary to ingest a remedy from clay and water. Such a solution is especially effective during colds, flu epidemics and off-season.

Heals joints

Traditional healers have been using clay for the treatment of joint pain, arthritis, arthrosis for many years. After 3 sessions, swelling is eliminated, pain and tightness disappear.

Blue clay for weight loss and cleansing of the digestive tract

Not everyone knows that you can take the rock inside. If you want to lose 2-3 kg. for a month, conduct a comprehensive detoxification, increase immunity, and also improve your health in general, then make a solution.

Recipe:

• dilute in 0.25 l. purified warm water 20 gr. clay;
• stir and use the composition.

It cannot be said that the diluted clay is tasty, but it is worth it. Literally after 3 weeks of taking it, you will get rid of edema, lose weight by at least 2 kg, remove toxic substances and toxins.

Admission rules:

2. Slowly increase the concentration of the main substance until you reach 30 gr. for 250 ml. water. You do not need to immediately pour a lot of clay, so as not to encounter vomiting.

4. Duration of the course - no longer than 1.5 months. This is followed by a 6-month break, if necessary, therapy is repeated.

Blue clay for facial skin - masks

Blue clay has proven itself in the field of skin care. Let's study the properties and application for the face in more detail.

Basic Rules:

• the composition is applied to cleansed skin;
• a test is done on the wrist first to rule out allergies;
• the mask is not distributed around the eyes;
• the product is applied 1-3 times a week, it all depends on the type of skin;
• exposure time - no longer than 20 minutes.

No. 1. Narrowing of pores

To cleanse the pores, it is necessary to combine carbonated mineral water with clay powder, knead to a paste and apply to a steamed face. After 20 minutes, remove the product, wash your face with cold water and wipe with ice.

No. 2. Comprehensive skin nutrition

Blue clay has nutritional properties, and the application in this case would be: mix 5 ml. lemon juice, 30 gr. powder clay, 40 gr. sour cream. Enter water to get a dense mass. Distribute it and soak for a third of an hour.

No. 3. Giving general tone

To rejuvenate, give a blush and tighten sagging areas, prepare a tool. Connect 10 ml. olive oil with 30-40 gr. clay. Introduce purified water after the fact. Distribute a thick mass and record a quarter of an hour.

No. 4. Elimination of dryness, peeling

This mask is suitable for owners of dry epidermis. It is prepared from 20 gr. clay, 10 ml. olive oil, 10 gr. honey. Water is added in such quantity to obtain a dense mixture. Wait 15-20 minutes after application.

No. 5. Rejuvenation

Blue clay has an excellent rejuvenating effect. Properties and applications in cosmetology are well studied. To prepare a compress, you need to dilute the clay with herbal infusion. Suitable decoction of dandelion, St. John's wort, sea buckthorn, mint, chamomile or yarrow. Dip the gauze, folded in several layers, into the cosmetic liquid. Keep the compress on your face for at least half an hour.

No. 6. Cleansing of blackheads and blackheads

Mix equal amounts (25 g each) of rice flour and clay in a cup. Pour in some water to make a paste. Apply for a third of an hour. After washing, it is recommended to wipe the face with almond or peach oil.

No. 7. Fight pigmentation, freckles

To cope with age spots, you need to mix 6 gr. finely ground sea salt and 25 gr. clay. Pour in water to get a thick mass. Apply the product for 10 minutes. Do a light massage.

No. 8. Elimination of oily sheen

To normalize the work of the sebaceous glands, you need to make regular masks. Connect 90 ml. water and 60 gr. clay. Herbal decoctions are also suitable as a liquid base. Spread a homogeneous mixture over the face for 20 minutes.

Blue clay for joints

Blue clay has shown itself well not only in cosmetology, but also in medicine. Explore the properties and uses for joints in more detail.

No. 1. Baths

If you have systematic problems with the spine, it is recommended to take a bath with warm water. For 5 l. water accounts for 60 gr. clay, pour this mixture into the bath. Stir and lie down to rest in the bath for a third of an hour. After that, take a shower and go to bed.

No. 2. Compresses

In case of serious diseases associated with the joints, it is necessary to dilute the clay to a thick creamy mass. Leave to infuse for 2.5 hours. Next, heat the mixture in a steam bath to 45 degrees. The paste should be put on gauze and wrapped around the sore spot. Secure the compress with a bandage and wrap with a warm cloth. Remove after 45 minutes.

Cellulite body wraps with blue clay

1. Pour 120 gr. into warm water. clay. The paste should not be too thick. Enter 40 gr. ground cinnamon and 4 drops of orange ether.

2. A homogeneous mass is applied to pre-steamed skin. Wrap problem areas in plastic.

3. Get warm with a warm blanket. Wait 50 minutes. Rinse with hot water, rubbing the skin with a terry towel.

Blue clay is in demand in home cosmetology. The unique properties and simple application of the composition allows you to deal with pressing problems. Tell us about your experience with clay in the comments.

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