Halloysite
Halloysite is a relatively rare natural form of kaolinite, appreciated by high-end tableware manufacturers over the world for the high-whiteness and translucent qualities it confers.
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Using halloysite for fine tableware fabrication
Halloysite is a natural form of very white kaolinite.
Like kaolinite, halloysite is an aluminosilicate, however, it has a tubular crystal structure, which is markedly different from the booklet or platelet crystal structure of kaolinite.
Halloysite and kaolinite are ubiquitous in soil and weathered rock, where they occur in a variety of particle shapes. They typically form through the hydrothermal alteration of aluminosilicate minerals and can occur intermixed with other minerals in kaolin rocks. Large halloysite-specific deposits are relatively rare, however.
Due to its high whiteness, high aspect ratio and nanosize halloysite is particularly sought after by ceramic tableware producers for its translucent effect in fine porcelain and bone china. The tubular shape also helps prevent sag before firing.
Halloysite is also traditionally used as a carrier in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, a filler in plastics, particularly PVC, and as a suspension agent in paints, inks and filters.
Physical properties
- High whiteness
- High translucency
- Tubular structure
- Nanosize
- High aspect ratio
- Low iron and titanium content
Serving the most prestigious brands
Imerys operates a high-value, high-purity halloysite deposit in New Zealand producing consistent quality aluminous halloysite with low levels of iron oxide to serve the ceramics market.
Our customers include some of the most prestigious brands of porcelain and bone china tableware worldwide.
A benchmark for fine tableware
Imerys halloysites are prized for the manufacture of thin porcelain, bone china, fine china and aluminous tableware where the combination of tubular shape and low iron and titanium content produces fine ceramic ware presenting exceptional whiteness and translucency.
Its fine particle size also makes halloysite a useful suspension agent in glaze preparations.
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Imerys halloysites from our New Zealand deposit are recognized across the world for their high purity. We will continue to process our halloysite products for ceramics to provide a high level of consistency that our customers can depend on.
