Clays

Abstract

Clays are ubiquitous constituents of the Earth's crust that serve as raw materials for traditional ceramics. Mineralogically, clays are phyllosilicates or layered aluminosilicates. Bonding is strong within layers, but weak between layers, allowing clays to break into micrometer-sized particles. When mixed with water, clays develop plasticity and can be shaped easily and reproducibly. When heated, clays undergo a series of reactions that ultimately produce crystalline mullite and a silica-rich amorphous phase. Beyond the structure and properties of clays, the science that developed to understand traditional ceramics continues to serve as the framework for the study of advanced ceramics. © 2008 Springer-Verlag US.