Clays overview

As you know now, clays are the finest part of earth material. But did you already see a clay grain ?
Using a strong microscope – called scanning electron microscope (SEM) – it is possible to discover those stranges and microscopics grains.

This one is an exemple from the kaolinite family (one flat grain is approx. 5 micrometers wide). Those kind of clays do not stick so much but are used to make porcelain but also in the process of paper making.

There are many other clays and family, has you can see on the pictures below.

Let’s share some ideas on the different types of clays.

Before going further 2 very different type of clays, let’s go to understand how roles of clays for earth building.