Use
Clays are active mineral portions of soils, less than 2 pm in diameter and are predominantly colloidal and crystalline alumino-silicates.
The properties of clay minerals are controlled by at least six major factors. These are clay mineral composition, non-clay mineral composition, organic material, soluble salts, exchangeable ions and texture. Generally, the clay mineral composition is the most important factor and sometimes as little as 5% of a particular clay mineral may largely determine the properties of a whole body of clay.
The commercial value of clays is related to their mineral and chemical composition. Major mineral or soluble salt impurities are quartz, mica, carbonates, iron oxides, sulphides and feldspar.
Clays are used for various applications like pottery, insulation, etc.