Clay is a type of fine-grained natural soil material containing clay minerals [1] (hydrous aluminium phyllosilicates, e.g. kaolinite, Al 2 Si 2 O 5 (OH) 4). Most pure clay minerals are white or light-coloured, but natural clays show a variety of colours from impurities, such as a reddish or brownish colour from small amounts of iron oxide. [2][3]

Apr 10, 2025 · Clay, soil particles the diameters of which are less than 0.005 millimeter; also a rock that is composed essentially of clay particles. Rock in this sense includes soils, ceramic clays, clay shales, mudstones, glacial clays, and deep-sea clays.

Clay is a soft, loose, earthy material containing particles with a grain size of less than 4 micrometres (μm). It forms as a result of the weathering and erosion of rocks containing the mineral group feldspar (known as the ‘mother of clay’) over vast spans of time.

clay mineral, any of a group of important hydrous aluminum silicates with a layer (sheetlike) structure and very small particle size. They may contain significant amounts of iron, alkali metals, or alkaline earths.

The meaning of CLAY is an earthy material that is plastic when moist but hard when fired, that is composed mainly of fine particles of hydrous aluminum silicates and other minerals, and that is used for brick, tile, and pottery; specifically : soil composed chiefly of this material having particles less than a specified size.

Clay is a naturally occurring material composed primarily of fine-grained minerals, which develop through the weathering and alteration of rocks. It has the unique ability to expand when wet and contract upon drying, making it an essential resource for various applications.

Clay is an abundant, naturally occurring, fine-grained material composed predominantly of hydrous aluminum silicates. Clay is not a single mineral, but a number of minerals. Clays fall into six general categories: kaolin, ball clays, fire clays, bentonite, common clays and Fuller’s earth. Clays are common all over the world.

This video covers where clay comes from (geology), what clay is (chemistry and mineralogy), and what makes it such a special material (biology, genetics, and chemistry).

Mar 26, 2025 · Clay is a fine-grained soil or earth material that becomes soft and moldable when wet and then permanently hardens when heated. Geologically, clay forms over long periods as rocks weather and break down into microscopic mineral particles like kaolinite.

Clay is a fine-grained silicate mineral made when rocks break down. Wet clay is soft and can be shaped to make pottery, bricks and other things. When it is shaped and then fired in a kiln to make it hard, it becomes pottery. Clay often contains some water because the water molecules stick to the tiny grains.