What does clay consist of? What is the substance of clay?

Clay - an interesting and diverse in its properties of the material, which is formed as a result of the destruction of rock. Many, when dealing with this plastic substance, are thinking: what does clay consist of? Let's find out the answer to this question, and also we will understand how this natural material can be useful to man.

What is clay, what substance consists of

Clay is a sedimentary rock, fine-grained in its structure. In the dry state it is often dusty, and if it is moistened, it becomes a plastic and pliable material that takes any form. When hardening clay becomes hard, its shape does not change.

Mineral composition of clays of different species, although different, but necessarily contains substances of the group of kaolinite and montmorillonite or other layered aluminosilicates. Also, clay can have other constituents, carbonate and sand particles.

The typical composition of this substance is as follows:

• Kaolinite - 47%;
• Aluminum oxide - 39%;
• Water - 14%.

This is not all the components of clay. Mineral impregnations - halloysite, diaspore, hydrargillite, corundum, monothermite, muscovite and others - are also present in different amounts. Clays and kaolins can be contaminated with such minerals as quartz, dolomite, gypsum, magnetite, pyrite, limonite, marcasite.

Types of clay

What the clay consists of depends largely on the place and mode of its formation. Depending on this, there are:

1. Sedimentary clays - is the result of the transfer of natural weathering products and their deposition in a certain place. They are marine - born at the bottom of the seas and oceans and continental - formed on the mainland. Sea clays, in turn, are divided into:

• Shelf;
• Lagoon;
• Coastal.

2. Residual clays are formed during weathering of non-plastic rocks and their transformation into plastic kaolins. The study of such residual deposits can show a smooth transition of clay to the parent rock with a change in altitude.

Properties of clay

Regardless of what substance the clay consists of and where it was formed, there are characteristic properties that distinguish it from other natural materials.

In dry form, the clay has a dusty structure. If it stiffens with lumps, it crumbles easily. This material quickly becomes wet, absorbs water, and therefore swells. In this case, the clay acquires water resistance - the ability not to let the liquid pass.

The main feature of clay is its plasticity - the ability to easily acquire any shape. Depending on this ability, clay can be classified into "fat" - which has an increased plasticity, and "lean" - diluted with other substances and gradually losing this property.

Plastic clay is characterized by stickiness and viscosity. This property is widely used in construction. Think, what is the building mix? Clay - an indispensable component of any connective solution.

Spreading on the Planet

Clay is a very common material on Earth, and therefore inexpensive. There are a lot of clay deposits in any area. On the sea coast you can see clay dumps, which used to be hard rocks. The banks and the bottom of rivers and lakes are often covered with a layer of clay. If a forest trail or dirt road has a brown or red tint, then most likely it also consists of residual clay.

With the industrial extraction of clay, a method of open-cast mining is used. To get to the deposits of useful substance, first remove the top layer of soil, and then take out the fossils. At different depths, clay layers may differ in composition and properties.

The use of clay by man

As already mentioned, clay is most often used in construction. Everyone knows that the usual material for erecting structures is bricks. What do they consist of? Sand and clay - these are the main components of the test, which under the influence of high temperatures becomes solid and turns into a brick. To the wall of individual blocks do not crumble, use a viscous solution, which also contains clay.

A mixture of clay and water becomes a raw material for pottery production. Mankind has long learned how to produce vases, bowls, jugs and other containers of clay. They can have different sizes and shapes. Previously, pottery was necessary and common, and clay products became the only accessories used in everyday life and very popular goods in the markets.

Clay is widely used in medicine and cosmetology. Those who care about the beauty and health of the skin, are aware of the beneficial effects of certain species of this substance. Clay is used for wraps, masks and lotions. It effectively fights against cellulite, gives the skin elasticity, prevents premature aging. At some medical indications clay even apply inside. And with skin diseases, dried and dust-rubbed material is prescribed in the form of powders. It is important to mention that for such purposes not any clay is used, but only some of its types, which have antiseptic and antimicrobial properties.

What is polymer clay

Now pottery - this is not such a common hobby, as in the old days, but it becomes popular molding from polymer clay. Some believe that polymer clay is a kind of ordinary natural clay. Is this really true? Let's see what polymer clay is, what it consists of and how it is used by man.

Polymer clay is a plastic material that solidifies in air or when exposed to high temperatures. We often hear about the use of polymer clay in needlework, but in addition it can be used in the production of plastic windows, kitchen accessories , etc.

Polymer clay makes it easy to imitate the texture of other materials, such as wood or stone. From this plastic substance you can independently make souvenirs, Christmas toys, costume jewelery, interior decorations, charms and many other things. Such handmade products will be an excellent gift, they can be stored for a long time, without losing an attractive appearance and original form.

What is the polymer clay? Recipe for cooking at home

The needlewomen, who were interested in the process of making such bright souvenirs, were probably thinking about how to make polymer clay on their own. This is a very real task. Naturally, the resulting material will not be identical to the factory polymer clay, but if it is properly manufactured, its properties will not be inferior.

Required components:

• Glue PVA - 1 glass;
• Cornstarch - 1 glass;
• Low-fat hand cream without silicone - 1 tablespoon;
• Vaseline - 1 tablespoon;
• Lemon juice - 2 tablespoons.

That's all that clay is for molding, which we will cook at home.

Starch, glue and Vaseline thoroughly mixed, add lemon juice and again interfere until a homogeneous mass is obtained. We put it in the microwave for 30 seconds, mix it and send it there for 30 more seconds. The cake that was formed on the surface must be removed and discarded, and the elastic mass should be put on a tray, greased with hand cream, and vigorously kneaded for 5 minutes. After cooling, our polymer clay is ready for use.

Having learned how to make polymer clay yourself, you can save on expensive purchased material and, without limiting yourself, master an interesting, creative activity.

Clay - an interesting and diverse in its properties of the material, which is formed as a result of the destruction of rock. Many, when dealing with this plastic substance, are thinking: what does clay consist of? Let's find out the answer to this question, and also we will understand how this natural material can be useful to man.