clay mineral
Sedimentary silicate particle
Clay minerals are a group of silicate minerals that form the main component of clay soils.
They have layered crystalline structures that can absorb water, making them plastic when wet and hard when dried or fired.
Common clay minerals include kaolinite, montmorillonite, and illite.
Their properties make them essential for ceramics, brick-making, and drilling mud.
- kaoliniteHydrated aluminum silicate clay
- chloriteGreen sheet silicate mineral
- bentoniteAsh-derived absorbent clay
- cat litterAbsorbent box material
- vermiculiteExpandable insulating mineral
mica · biotite · magnesium silicate · sedimentary rock · muscovite · clays · talc · hydrated · water absorption · soil · soil science · weathering · calcium · shale · plasticity · earthen · hydrous · layered