GLASS & CERAMICS
Explore our curated selection of raw materials tailored for the Glass & Ceramics industry. From boron minerals that enhance thermal properties to zirconium flour for opacity and durability, each product in our portfolio is selected for its quality and performance. Our offerings meet the diverse needs of manufacturers, providing key ingredients like alumina for scratch resistance, sodium carbonate for melting efficiency, and specialized sands for foundational silica. Trust in our materials to give your glass and ceramics the edge in a competitive market.
Boron Minerals
A group of compounds that are particularly valued in both glass and ceramics for their ability to increase thermal resistance. In the realm of ceramics, boron adds to the toughness of the material, making it less prone to cracking under high temperatures. In glass manufacturing, boron is a game-changer, contributing to the creation of borosilicate glass, renowned for its durability and resistance to thermal shock, making it ideal for cookware and scientific equipment.
Zirconium Flour
This fine, powdery material is a ceramic glaze's best friend. It’s not just about enhancing the visual appeal with chemical resistance and opacity; zirconium flour also brings robustness to ceramic items, making them fit for the wear and tear of daily use. In glazes, it interacts with other elements to produce a wide spectrum of colors, adding depth and vibrancy to ceramic products.
This fine, powdery material is a ceramic glaze's best friend. It’s not just about enhancing the visual appeal with chemical resistance and opacity; zirconium flour also brings robustness to ceramic items, making them fit for the wear and tear of daily use. In glazes, it interacts with other elements to produce a wide spectrum of colors, adding depth and vibrancy to ceramic products.
Known for its vivid whitening properties, titanium dioxide is used extensively as a pigment to provide color in ceramics. Beyond aesthetics, it also modifies thermal properties, enabling ceramics to withstand varying temperatures - a critical factor in both everyday wares and specialized industrial applications.
Alumina or aluminum oxide is a stalwart in enhancing the mechanical strength of ceramics, imparting significant hardness and scratch resistance. This makes it ideal for use in abrasive environments and in applications where durability is paramount, such as floor tiles and kitchen countertops.
Sodium Carbonate
In glassmaking, sodium carbonate acts as a flux, effectively lowering the melting temperature of the mix, reducing energy consumption, and contributing to the glass's workability and quality. It also helps to stabilize the glass and improve its chemical resistance to environmental factors.
This compound is used to control the crystallization of certain glasses, leading to a more uniform end product. In ceramics, it can help to minimize the formation of efflorescence - the white crystalline deposits that can sometimes appear on the surface.
As another flux in glass production, potassium carbonate contributes to the durability and luster of glass items, enhancing their aesthetic and structural qualities. It's also used to improve the brightness of glazes in ceramics.
In the intricate process of glass refining, potassium nitrate plays a crucial role in improving the clarity and quality of the glass, ensuring the absence of bubbles and imperfections in the final product.
Both these forms of chromium are used in the ceramics industry for their pigmentation properties, providing a rich green color. Additionally, they contribute to the toughness and heat resistance of ceramic products, making them suitable for a range of applications from decorative tiles to heat-resistant cookware.
Feldspars
These are a group of minerals that are essential in the manufacture of ceramics, acting as a flux which promotes vitrification and increases both the strength and workability of the ceramic body.
These materials are integral to the ceramics industry. Clays and kaolins offer plasticity, which is crucial in shaping ceramic items, while also enhancing their firing properties. Bentonite adds plasticity to ceramic bodies and increases strength during the drying process, reducing the risk of cracking.
Talc
This mineral is used in both ceramics and glass manufacturing due to its ability to lower firing temperatures and contribute to the glazes' glossy finish, which can be particularly desirable in certain ceramic products.
Often used in ceramics, dolomite acts as a source of magnesium oxide, serving as a flux to lower the melting point in the kiln and helping to produce a sturdy and fine-grained ceramic product.
Silica sand is the backbone of the glass industry; it's the primary source of silicon dioxide, which is the fundamental ingredient in the production of glass. It offers structural integrity and clarity to the glass items being produced.