Description

Polwhite E

Imerys Polwhite E pure medium fine primary kaolin 25 Klo is a pure medium fine to fine primary kaolin giving low oil absorption. It can be used to reduce the colour strength of Ultra Marine Blue pigment.

---

Key Benefits

Low oil absorption

Key Applications

Water based Decorative Paints, Solvent based Decorative Paints, Traffic Markings, PVC Products, Rubber Extrusions, Rubber Mouldings, Rubber Processing, Adhesives & Sealants, Ultra Marine Blue, Agricultural Chemicals, Leather Treatments, Plaster Board

Kaolin (Kaolinite)

---

Properties

Kaolin (china clay) Imerys Polwhite E pure medium fine primary kaolin 25 Klo is a hydrated aluminium silicate crystalline mineral (kaolinite) formed over many millions of years by the hydrothermal decomposition of granite rocks. Hydrous kaolin is characterised by its fine particle size, plate like or lamellar particle shape and chemical inertness.

Kaolin is named after the hill in China (Kao-Ling) where it was first mined, for many years before it’s discovery in Europe (Cornwall, England) in 1745 by William Cookworthy who was looking for a source of material to produce white chinawares.

 

Origin of Kaolin

 

Markets for Kaolin

Kaolin is now used in the ceramics, paper, paint, plastics, rubber, sealant, adhesive and chemicals industries.

 

Formulated into Paint, fine kaolin such as Supreme™ can act as a functional extender of TiO₂, reducing formulation cost and improving rheology. Coarser kaolins, Polwhite™ B & Polwhite™ E do not offer so much potential to extend TiO₂ but do enhance the dry film properties of primers and undercoats. Polsperse™ 10 offers paint makers the possibility to extend TiO₂ in solvent based gloss paints processed using high speed dissolvers rather than bead mills traditionally associated with this type of paint – cutting processing time and increasing efficiency.

 

Rubber formulations benefit from the use of fine kaolin, Supreme™ and Speswhite™, give semi-reinforcing properties and good barrier properties, particularly useful in automotive hose applications. The coarser kaolin, Polwhite™ E, can be used in flooring compounds to increase abrasion resistance as well as making the compound cheaper.

 

In sealants and adhesives, kaolin is used to modify rheological properties.

The Ultramarine Blue industry uses kaolin as a raw material for the synthesis of this important pigment, which is itself widely used in the Performance Minerals industries