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Clay is a versatile natural material for construction. What is clay, its types and properties

Clay is a product of the weathering of rocks, mainly feldspar and mica. Earthquakes, strong winds, floods displace rock layers, crush them to powder. Placed in the cracks of the earth's crust, they solidify over millions of years.

Cambrian clays are primary, they have not been washed out for millions of years, although they were subjected to weathering. Other clays are called secondary clays, a product of sediment. Secondary clays are found among sedimentary strata of all types - continental, including lacustrine, coastal lagoon and marine.

Lacustrine clays often have a monomineral kaolinite composition. Pure montmorillonite clays (bentonites) are usually formed as a result of alteration of volcanic ash and pumice. In industry, there are 4 most important groups of clays: coarse ceramic, refractory and refractory, kaolin, adsorption and

highly dispersed montmorillonite.

The main chemical components of clay are secondary minerals of a simple composition: silicon dioxide (quartz, SiO "30-70%), aluminum hydroxide (AbO3, 10-40%) and H20 (5-10%). Present in clays Tyu2, iron hydroxide (Fe20 „FeO), MnO, MgO, CaO, K20, Na20.

In addition, in the process of weathering, secondary minerals of a more complex structure (aluminum and ferrisilicates) are also formed. They are finer than the primary minerals. All secondary minerals of complex composition have a lamellar structure and contain chemically bound water. Since these minerals are the most important component of various clays, they are called clay, or clay, minerals (A.I.Boldyrev, 1974). With all the variety of clay materials, they have a common feature: they were formed during the chemical destruction of other minerals and therefore the size of their crystals is very small - only 1 ... 5 microns in diameter.

In the composition of clay, the main role is played by kaolinite, montmorillonite, hydromica, spars, limestones, and marbles. According to the predominance of the clay mineral, mineral types of clays are distinguished: kaolinite, montmorillonite, hydromica, etc.

The minerals of the kaolinite group include kaolinite AL2Si2Os (OH4) and halloysite Ab28i2Ol (OH4) x 2H? 0, as well as some other minerals. Kaolinite clays contain about 20-25% of silty particles (less than 0.001 mm), of which 5-10% are colloidal particles (less than 0.25 microns). Minerals of this group are quite common in many types of clays. Such clays have relatively little swelling and stickiness.

Bentonites are sedimentary rocks composed of minerals of the montmorillonite group. These minerals have a layered crystalline structure like graphite or talc, that is, they consist of the finest flakes that can slide over each other when mechanically applied. Therefore, these minerals feel greasy to the touch. There are cavities between the scales, into which water molecules can easily penetrate. Due to this, bentonite clays swell strongly in water and form a plastic dough.

Of the minerals of the montmorillonite group in clays, the most common are montmorillonite AL2Si40 | 9 (OH2) x pH20, beidellite ALoSbOyfOH?) X pH20, nontronite Fe2Si4 0 | o (OH3) x pH20. Montmorrilonite clays have, in contrast to kaolinite, high swelling, stickiness and cohesion.

For them, a very characteristic feature is a high degree of dispersion (up to 80% of particles are less than 0.001 mm, of which 40-45% are less than 0.25 microns).

Among the clay minerals, a large place belongs to the minerals of the hydromica group. This group INCLUDES hydromuscovite (illite) KAb [(Si, Al) 4O | 0] (OH) 2 x pN, 0, hydrobiotite K (Mg, Fe) 3 [(Al, Si) 40io] (OH) 2 x pH20 and vermiculite (Mg, Fe ++, Fe +++) 2 [(Al, Si) 4O | 0] (OH) 2 x nH20.

In addition to clay materials, all clays contain one or another amount of impurities that strongly affect the properties of clays.

Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals on Earth, consisting of only one silicon dioxide - silica (SiO2).

Feldspar is a mineral in which, along with silica, alumina is necessarily present - aluminum oxide (A120z), as well as an oxide of one of the metals such as sodium, potassium, calcium.

Mica breaks down very easily into the thinnest transparent plates. Mica contains silica, alumina and (often) compounds of iron, sodium, magnesium.

Most often, these minerals are impurities and constitute the sand present in the clay. Less common in clay are grains of limestone, gypsum, other rocks and minerals.

Different minerals have different effects on the properties of the clay. So, quartz reduces its ductility, but increases its strength.

Clay crystal lattice

Clay minerals vary in structure. Such important properties of clay, such as solubility, volatility, viscosity and other properties that characterize the stability of the compound, are due to the energy of the crystal lattice. Clay belongs to crystalline solids, that is, it has a clear internal structure due to the correct arrangement of particles in a strictly defined periodically repeating order. Particles in crystals (atoms, molecules or ions) are arranged regularly, forming the so-called spatial lattice of the crystal.

The crystal lattice of various clay minerals is built from the same elementary structural units, consisting of silicon and oxygen atoms, as well as aluminum, oxygen and hydrogen atoms. The composition of clay minerals can also include Fe, Mg, K, Mi and others. Clay minerals have a layered structure and belong to layered silicates. Layers of clay minerals consist of a combination of silicon-oxygen and oxygen-hydroxyaluminium compounds.

The unit cell of a silicon – oxygen compound is a tetrahedron, four vertices of which are occupied by 02 "anions, and a smaller Si cation is located in the center of this tetrahedron.

The tetrahedron (SiC> 4) 4 is the main structural unit not only of clay minerals, but also of all naturally occurring silicon-oxygen compounds (A.I.Boldyrev, 1974).

The excess of negative charges of this unit cell can be neutralized by the addition of any cations or by the connection of several tetrahedra through the vertices, when the oxygen ion is simultaneously bound to two silicon ions. For clay, the most typical compounds are those in which silicon-oxygen tetrahedra are connected in layers (or sheets) of a cyclic structure. In such a layer, for every two silicon ions, there are five oxygen ions, which corresponds to the formula (Si20s) 2

Silicon-oxygen tetrahedral layers can combine with a layer of oxygen - aluminum hydroxyl atoms, which form octahedra. In them, the aluminum ion is surrounded by oxygen atoms and hydroxide ions. Alumohydroxyl octahedra are connected in the same way as silicon-oxygen tetrahedra - into octahedral networks or layers. They can be constructed by analogy with the mineral A1 (OH) 3 gibbsite or Mg (OH) 2 brucite.

Silicon-oxygen and oxygen-hydroxide-aluminum networks form the so-called tetrahedral-octahedral layers and packets. When joining the tetrahedral and octahedral layers, the 0? 'Ions of the tetrahedral layer located at the vertices of the tetrahedra become common for both layers, that is, the 0? "Ions will serve as a kind of" bridges "between Si4 ~ ions of one layer and ions Abs + of another layer. Such a structure is the most stable, since the number of positive charges Si4 + and AC + in this structure is equal to the number of negative charges 0? " and he".

Minerals of the kaolinite group have a two-layer phystallic lattice, the packets of which are formed of two layers connected through common oxygen atoms: a layer of silicon-oxygen tetrahedra and an aluminum-hydroxyl layer having a dioctahedral structure. Such two-layer packages alternate in the crystal with gaps, giving it a lamellar structure. Kaolinite is not capable of absorbing water into inter-package spaces and therefore does not have the ability to swell.

Minerals of the montmorillonite group are divided into two groups according to their crystal chemical properties:

Dioctahedral (montmorillonite, nontronite, beidellite);

Trioctahedral (saponite, hectorite).

Montmorillonite belongs to three-layer minerals. Its packages consist of an octahedral layer (di-octahedral structure), which is enclosed between two tetrahedral layers.

The composition of these layers is not constant due to isomorphic substitutions. Silicon tetrahedra can also be partially replaced by aluminum and iron, and in octahedra, in addition to aluminum ions, there can be magnesium ions. Unlike kaolinite, the inter-package distances of montmorillonite can vary. These distances vary depending on the amount of water trapped between the packages. Because of this, montmorillonite is highly swellable.

Minerals of the hydromica group include hydromuscovite (illite), hydrobiotite, vermiculite, and other hydrated varieties of micas. The absorption capacity of hydromica is several times higher than that of kaolinite, but 2-3 times less than that of montmorillonite.

The structure of illite is similar to that of montmorillonite, with the only difference that there are numerous isomorphic substitutions in its crystal lattice. Thus, the A13 + ion in the octahedral layers is replaced by the Fe3 + ion and the Mgα + ion, with two aluminum ions being replaced by three magnesium ions with the octahedral voids replaced. In illite, two aluminum ions in octahedra are often replaced by two magnesium ions, while excess negative charges are compensated by potassium ions, which are located in the interpacket spaces.

Aluminosilicates - zeolites - have "molecular sieves" used as catalysts in the petrochemical industry to produce high-octane gasolines. Zeolites are the best adsorbents for radioactive waste from nuclear power plants. They have proven themselves excellently in removing radionuclides from the body of "liquidators", as well as farm animals living in the contaminated area. Zeolites are vital for animals. Having eaten enough natural zeolites, the animals became healthier: they gained better weight, and among calves, mortality decreased. This is explained by the fact that zeolites are able to absorb harmful substances and supply the body with the missing components.

The most important physicochemical and water-physical properties of clay - absorption capacity, hydrophilicity, cohesion, stickiness, reaction of the medium - are directly dependent on the mineralogical composition.

Free and bound water in clay

The water molecules themselves are neutral. However, as soon as the dipole water molecules are placed in an external electric field, the dipole character of these molecules will immediately begin to manifest.

Hydration of hydrophilic colloids is also caused by electrostatic forces, i.e., due to electric charges arising from ionization. On the surface of colloidal particles of clay, shells are formed, consisting of water dipoles, oriented, depending on the type of charge, with their positive or negative ends.

Thus, in hydrophilic colloids, that is, in clay solutions, some part of the water is firmly bound to colloidal particles, while the other part plays the role of a medium in which colloidal micelles are located.

The properties of bound water differ sharply from those of free water. In terms of the degree of structure ordering, bound water approaches the properties of a solid and has a higher density compared to free water. The hydration shells of the high-molecular-weight compound do not possess dissolving properties; therefore, the high-molecular weight substance dissolves only in free water. When the clay solution is cooled, bound water does not freeze, while free water is prone to freezing.

Clay metabolism

Clays are often found under a layer of sand and soil. When minerals and organic residues are washed out of the soil, they fall on the clay substrate. Their most intensive penetration occurs in the upper layer of clay 10-15 cm thick. In the Orenburg region, a deposit of Miocene sub-coal clay has been explored and is being used (NP Toropova et al., 2000).

Clay is an excellent exchange point for mineral water ions. At the same time, natural mineral waters have a great influence on the composition of the clay. So, if sulphate-calcium (or magnesium) underground waters migrate among clayey rocks of marine origin, usually containing exchangeable sodium, then the following reactions take place:

clay = 2Na + + Ca ++ + SO4<-»2Na+ + SO4 + глина = Са++

clay = 2Na + + Mg ++ + SO4<->2Na + + SO4 + clay = Mg ++

The symbol "clay = Ca ++" denotes clay containing exchangeable calcium (or other exchangeable cation). This is how the exchange of cations takes place, the amount of anion (SO4 ~) does not change.

Gradually, all exchangeable sodium passes from the clays into the solution. Water from sulphate calcium (magnesium) turns into sulphate sodium, and the absorbing complex from a typical marine - sodium becomes typically continental - calcium-magnesium (A.I. Perelman, 1982).

The clay fraction of soils and rocks contains two categories of ions: some easily pass into solution and are able to participate in reactions - these are exchangeable cations and anions; others are firmly fixed in the nodes of crystal lattices and can pass into solution only as a result of the destruction of minerals during prolonged weathering processes.

The impurities included in the clay determine its color, consistency, special plasticity or stone hardness. There are up to 40 types of clays used in the earthenware and porcelain industries, pharmacology, construction, perfumery (most of the powder), chemistry, and the food industry. Clay is white, blue, gray, red, brown, green, black. Sometimes there are clays of chocolate or dirty black color.

Clay colors are determined by the large amount of salts present in them:

Red - potassium, iron;

Greenish - copper, ferrous iron;

Blue - cobalt, cadmium;

Dark brown and black - carbon, iron;

Yellow - sodium, ferric iron, sulfur and its salts.

The most active is blue, green and black clay. Kaolinite is well studied - the basis for porcelain products, it is white. Refractory clays are mostly kaolinic, they are plastic, but they have little iron.

Clay treatment in terms of effects on the body is similar to mud therapy. Like mud, healing clay has a beneficial effect on the body. The use of clay in medicine and modern cosmetology is widespread enough, this method of thermal exposure has very few contraindications and is recommended for the treatment of skin diseases such as seborrhea, psoriasis, etc.



What is clay and clay treatment

It is worth starting a story about the healing properties of clay and its use with an explanation of what clay and clay therapy are in medicine.

Clay (Diatomaceus Earth, Argilla) is a plastic sedimentary rock. Clays are a product of chemical destruction of rocks and differ in their quantitative composition and color, their ability to form a pasty, easily stirred mass, which can be given any shape. With significant liquefaction, the clay loses its plasticity and spreads. The main part of the clay is colloidal hydrate of silica and alumina, which determines its basic physical properties, including poor heat capacity and thermal conductivity.

Cosmetic clay are mineral substances of natural origin with significant plasticity used for cosmetic procedures. They are also rich in biologically active substances (magnesia, barium, beryllium, gallium, copper, cobalt, molybdenum, etc.).

Clay therapy is a method of thermal action based on the use of heated healing clay.

The healing properties of clay are used as one of the methods of natural healing of the body. Clays are used to treat more than 30 diseases and about 70 in combination with medicinal plants, vegetables and fruits.

In medicine, cosmetic clay is used only purified, discolored and finely dispersed. Often they use white or Chinese clay (kaolin), dispersive, etc. They are characterized by high hygroscopicity, plasticity, as well as stimulating and antiseptic efficacy, are used in cosmetic masks, powder, hygienic talcum powder.

What types of clays are there, their properties and indications for use

There are many different types of clays, differing in density, plasticity, color, mineral and organic composition. What types of clays are there and how are they used?

Different categories of clays - liquid, plastic, oily, low-plastic - have completely different applications. Refractory clays are also distinguished, including earthenware and kaolin clays, and fusible clays. The color of the clay depends on its mineral composition (the presence of iron, copper). Distinguish between white, green, blue, pink and red clay. When deciding which clay to choose, keep in mind that white and green clays are most often used in cosmetology.

The main minerals that make up cosmetic clays are quartz, mica, etc.

Look at the photo: the composition of medicinal clays depends on their place of origin. In Bulgaria, in the Rhodope Mountains, blue clay is mined. The population of the Crimea and Transcaucasia uses local clays "kil", "gilyabi", "gumbrin". The so-called Glukhovets kaolin and Pulkovo clay are mined in the northwest of Russia. In the Urals, the Kamyshlovskoe clay deposit of greenish-gray color is known.

Moroccan clay mined in the mountains adjacent to the Sahara. It is red-brown in color, has healing properties and is effective for burns, and its deposits belong to very wealthy sheikhs.

Green clay painted with iron oxide. It also contains magnesium, calcium, potash, manganese, phosphorus, zinc, aluminum, copper, cobalt, molybdenum. This type of healing clay is used in cosmetics mainly for oily skin and hair - against dandruff, pH = 7. Contains about 50% silicon dioxide, 13% aluminum and 15% other minerals: silver, copper, gold, heavy metals.

Silicon has a positive effect on the epidermis, gives flexibility to blood vessels, stimulates hair growth, lipid metabolism, the formation of collagen, bone tissue. Aluminum has drying and astringent properties.

Red clay has its own color due to the combination of iron oxide and copper. It is a less good adsorbent than green clay. It is used when there is a lack of iron in the body. It is not very suitable as a base for masks, as it gives the skin a reddish tint.

Pink clay contains red and white clay in various proportions. It contains trace elements, has a disinfecting and smoothing effect on the skin. Since pink clay is very soft, it is recommended for delicate epidermal care. It is used as a smoothing and astringent mask and in shampoos for normal hair.

See how the types of clay look in the photo - external differences, mainly in its color and structure:

The healing properties of white and blue clay

White clay (kaolin, Chinese clay) is a traditional raw material component in the manufacture of cosmetics. Purity, whiteness, non-abrasive character and harmlessness make this mineral a valuable ingredient in cosmetology. In pharmacy, it is used in the form of powders, ointments, pastes, as well as for diaper rash and burns, it is part of the cleansing masks. An indication for the use of clay can be acne. In addition, clay for medicinal purposes:

  • cleanses the epidermis;
  • has an antiseptic and regenerating surface effect;
  • stimulates the body's defenses, having a special effect on the epidermis, which is exposed to environmental pollution;
  • saturates the epidermis with minerals;
  • prevents the spread of microbes due to its ability to absorb toxins and pollution;
  • possesses enveloping and absorbent properties;
  • facilitates cell regeneration by stimulating metabolism.

Has a structure similar to green clay, and differs from it in the presence of trace elements. It has a pH of 5 and therefore can be used even for sensitive skin.

The medicinal properties of white clay are due to the high percentage of aluminum and silicon with an admixture of magnesium and calcium silicates. It is used in masks, milk and shampoos for dry hair and in children's cosmetics.

Healing blue clay is mined in the Rhodope Mountains (Bulgaria). It is a powdery mass with a pH of 7.3, contains a large amount of copper and chromium, salts, which give it a bluish tint. Recommended in pure form (when mixed with water) for use as masks for hair and skin of the face and body. When deciding which cosmetic clay to choose, keep in mind that blue clay softens and tones the skin, cleanses from acne, whitens, smoothes wrinkles, has a beneficial effect on oily hair, has anti-cellulite, antibacterial and anti-stress effects. It has a good effect on dehydrated, flaccid, atopic skin.

For cosmetic purposes, kaolin is most often used.

Clay is everywhere, very easy to recognize, thin and dense. It can be found in places where the earth is cracking: in quarries, near brick factories. Even in the garden, sometimes it is enough to dig one meter deep into the ground to find good clay. For cosmetic purposes and internal use, clay should only be purchased at a pharmacy. There it is of the required quality and undergoes radiation control. In addition, pharmacists will tell you in detail about the types of clay, its properties and uses, as well as advise which clay is right for your skin.

What kind of clay is medicinal and how to prepare it

Knowing what kind of clay is medicinal, you need to decide for what purpose it can be used. For external use, the most preferred clay with the best medicinal properties is clay suitable for modeling. It is used in the production of bricks and ceramics. The purer it is, the stronger the effect is.

For external use, in cases of urgent need for treatment, as well as if it is impossible to immediately obtain the desired clay, you can use the earth similar to it (loam). The loam must be clean. But it is still more advisable to use clay, since it has a stronger healing effect. Any clay mined in an ecologically unfavorable area must be tested for radioactivity.

The easiest way to prepare clay is as follows. Take good clay and lay it out to dry in the sun. If the clay is not dry enough, it will not dissolve easily in water. If the sun is low, then place the clay near a stove, heater, or any source of heat or light.

Before using the clay, clean it of various particles, stones, roots and other impurities. Pour the clay into a bowl or other enamelled, wooden, or burnt earthenware vessel. Crockery with broken enamel will not work.

Fill the clay with fresh clean water so that it is completely covered. Let stand for several hours to allow the clay to absorb moisture, stir, crush hard lumps with your hands or a wooden spatula. Do not use a metal tool - it can adversely affect the prepared mass. It should be homogeneous in composition, without lumps, should resemble mastic prepared by masters for modeling.

This mass is ready for use. If necessary, slightly dilute the solution with water to ensure that the mass is in the desired consistency, always ready for use. So it can be stored indefinitely.

The effect of clay on the skin and the body as a whole

The effect of clay on the body consists mainly of three components: thermal; mechanical; chemical.

The clay mass of the required temperature in contact with the skin heats it up, followed by a significant expansion of the peripheral vessels. Hyperemia has a pain relieving effect, promotes the resorption of inflammatory elements, enhances tissue nutrition and metabolism, and also has an antispasmodic effect. Sweating, often profuse, is of great importance in a number of diseases. Simultaneously with sweat, some metabolic products are excreted from the body, for example, uric acid, as well as various kinds of toxins. Thus, clay heated to a fairly high temperature is a powerful thermal procedure. The thermal reaction in clay therapy is based on the activation of body cells, which is accompanied by the stimulation of biochemical processes.

Mechanical action manifests itself in the pressure of the mass of clay on the skin, perceived by the body as an irritant, to the action of which, depending on its quality, quantity and strength, the body responds with an active reaction, accompanied by a number of changes in its functions.

Chemical action Clay on the skin is due to the chemical composition of clay, containing salts of various elements, oxides of iron, calcium, magnesium, silicon, as well as sulfuric anhydride, carbon dioxide and organic substances, which to a certain extent produce an irritating effect on the skin.

Clay for medicinal purposes and contraindications for clay therapy

Clay treatment is close to mud therapy in its effect on the body. Therefore, there are general contraindications to clay and mud therapy: diseases of the cardiovascular system, thyroid gland, tuberculosis.

Indications for the use of clays for therapeutic purposes are inflammatory or traumatic processes of a chronic nature: poorly healing fractures, bruises, inflammatory skin diseases.

In cosmetology, medicinal clays are widely used in wraps for the prevention and treatment of cellulite, seborrhea, hair loss, psoriasis, in masks and shampoos.

Clay treatment: lotions, compresses and clay water baths at home

Clay procedures include:

  • clay lotions;
  • clay compresses (wraps or dressings);
  • baths with clay (clay water).

In order to prepare lotions, you need to take linen, cotton or woolen fabric, you can use any cloth or napkin. Fold it in half, four times or more - to the desired thickness, place the fabric on a table or flat surface. Using a wooden spatula, remove the mass from the vessel and spread it on a napkin. The clay layer should be wider than the sore spot, 2-3 cm thick.

Wipe the sore spot with a wet cloth. If it is an ulcer, then wash it with fresh warm water. Apply the prepared lotion directly to the sore spot and make sure that it fits snugly. Tie the lotion with a bandage so that it does not move and is constantly in contact with it. Fasten the bandage, cover everything with woolen cloth. Do not tighten the bandage tightly to avoid circulatory disorders.

Usually, a clay lotion should be left on a sore spot for 2-3 hours. If it becomes dry and hot, it should be replaced with a new one.

To remove the lotion, you must first remove the upper woolen fabric, then undo the bandage and remove the clay in one motion, trying not to leave pieces of it on the sore spot. Rinse the affected area with warm water. Do not reuse used clay.

The number of procedures depends on the specific case and on the patient's condition. As a rule, 2-3 lotions a day are enough, but you can put more: one after another day and night. After complete recovery, you need to continue the procedure for some time.

You should never put lotions on the chest and stomach during and immediately after a meal, but only after 1-1.5 hours. It can be placed on other parts of the body at any time. In this case, you can put 2 or 3 lotions at the same time on different parts of the body.

When it is difficult to apply a lotion (for example, on the eyes, ears, etc.), wraps (compresses) can be done. To do this, it is necessary to wet the canvas in a semi-liquid clay mass so that it is thoroughly soaked, apply the fabric on the diseased part of the body and cover it with a woolen blanket. Clay-impregnated linen needs to be changed frequently. Such procedures use and, if necessary, expose a large surface of the skin to clay.

Partial (incomplete) and full baths in clay water play an important role in the treatment of skin diseases - they are very useful. To take a clay bath at home, keep the upper arms, soles of feet, or hands completely in a vessel filled with a very liquid clay solution for about 20 minutes. This solution can be used 2 or 3 times.

For pain in the arms and legs after frostbite, it is better to use baths for the extremities. For this method of treatment with clay water, you can use a bowl of clay solution, which has previously stood in the sun.

Full baths are taken outside. To do this, you need to make a rather large round hole in the ground, fill it with water and good clay. Mix the clay with water well to get a light liquid mass.

Outdoors, this can only be done during the warm season. In cool weather, baths are done in warm water, without renewing the clay, 6-7 times (2 times a week).

After the bath, you should go to bed, take shelter and drink a hot infusion of herbs.

Bath duration- from 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the specific case and the patient's tolerance of the procedure.

What diseases does clay treat: psoriasis, seborrhea, baldness

What diseases does clay treat and how to use it for burns?

Clays can be used medicinally for the following skin conditions:

Psoriasis. Clay should be mixed with coarse salt (in a 1: 1 ratio) and applied to the affected skin for 1-2 hours once a day. It is better to use clay diluted with vinegar in a 1: 3 ratio.

Seborrhea (oily skin). For oily hair, wash your hair with clay water; for oily skin, you need to make a mask.

Baldness. Rub the head 3 times a day with a mixture of crushed garlic, onion juice and clay water.

Burns. Put clay lotions up to 3-4 cm thick on cheesecloth, attach to the burned surface. Change the cakes every 2 hours until epithelialization. After that, apply 3-4 compresses a day on the burned area and keep for 2 hours.

Clay can be used to remove radionuclides from the body: as a strong adsorbent, it actively absorbs a variety of toxic substances, including radioactive ones.

Clay treatment of skin diseases and cosmetic imperfections

The widespread use of clay for skin diseases and for getting rid of cosmetic imperfections has been practiced since ancient times. Various creams were made from it, compresses were made on the face, hands and other parts of the body. And of course, clay treatment of skin diseases was carried out with the help of all kinds of cleansing and toning baths.

Of particular interest is the question of the correct use of clays. Clays are commercially available, which are suggested to be used by mixing powder and water just before use, and then applying the resulting mixture to the skin or hair. At the same time, clay-based masks are also presented on the market, where this or that type of clay is included in the base-emulsion in an amount of 10-40 percent. The choice of the type of clay depends on the problem being solved, and also largely on the condition of the skin.

Clay is a fine-grained sedimentary rock. This is a very interesting type of rock in its properties, because in a dry state it is crumbly and looks like dust, but in a moist state it is soft and plastic, capable of taking any given shape. When solidified, after moistening, the clay becomes surprisingly strong and durable.


Clay is a sedimentary rock, which is a secondary product of the earth's crust, which was formed as a result of the destruction of rocks by weathering.

The most important source for the formation of clay is feldspar, which, in the process of decay under the influence of atmospheric precipitation, forms kaolinite and other constituent parts of clays.


Minerals in clays

The composition of the clay contains one or more minerals of the kaolinite group, montmorillonite or other layered clay minerals. Clays can also contain carbonate and sand particles.

Depending on the quantity and quality of the minerals that make up the clay, this mineral can be of various colors and shades - light yellow, orange, reddish brown, gray, white and many others.


The different types of clay include the following minerals:

  • kaolinite
  • andalusite
  • montmorillonite
  • halloysite
  • muscovite
  • hydrargillite
  • nakrit
  • diaspora
  • pyrophyllitis
  • corundum
  • monothermite

There are also some types of minerals that contaminate clays. Among them are the following:

  • quartz
  • calcium
  • dolomite
  • glauconite
  • limonite
  • magnetite
  • marcosite
  • rutile
  • pyrite
  • sertpentine
  • siderite

Bentonite clay contains montmorillonite

Clay properties

Among the main characteristic properties of clay are the following:

  1. High level of plasticity
  2. Ability to take any given shape
  3. Refractory properties
  4. Air and thermal shrinkage capacity
  5. Excellent sintering properties
  6. Viscosity of various types of clays
  7. Shrinkage rate
  8. Clay porosity
  9. Swelling of clays
  10. Density
  11. Water resistance

Clay types

There are several types of clays, among which are the following:

  • Kaolin- this is the name of the famous white clay, which is used for the production of beautiful porcelain and refractory products.
  • Building clay- used to prepare solutions that are used in the construction of structures for various purposes.
  • Shale- used in the process of cement production.
  • Fire-clay- suitable for the manufacture of refractory bricks and other refractory products.
  • Bentonite- when immersed in water, it increases in volume several times, it is used in drilling fluids in the process of drilling wells.
  • Smectite- has bleaching and filtering properties. Filters made of felt clay are widely used to remove impurities from petroleum products, as well as various types of oils, both food and industrial.
  • Pottery(lumpy) clay is used in the process of making pottery.
  • - it is used as a therapeutic and cosmetic agent for applying masks to the face and body.
  • Sandstone clay- used for the manufacture of tableware, decorative ceramics and souvenirs.

Kaolin - white clay

Clay scope

After combining with the right amount of water, the clay is able to form a dough-like mass with plastic properties. Depending on the location of the deposit of this natural raw material, clay is characterized by different quality indicators. Therefore, it is used for various purposes. Among the areas of application for the various grades of clay are the following:

  • Ceramics production- one of the most important fields of application of clay. Various varieties of this natural material are used to make excellent examples of ceramic dishes, earthenware, etc. The art of pottery has been going on for several millennia and continues to improve today.

  • Manufacturing of building materials- clay is widely used in production. Today, the vast majority of brick products are manufactured in factories, but there is also a handicraft method of manual brick molding, which is successfully used in some regions.

  • Cement production- for the manufacture of cement, a mixture of clay (25%) with limestone (75%) is used. During the production process, the raw materials are carefully crushed and then thoroughly mixed. In this case, a strict dosage of the components must be observed, otherwise it will turn out to be of poor quality.

  • Technical ceramics is a fairly extensive group of special ceramic products made of plastic mass, the basis of which is clay. for technical purposes, it is widely used in various areas of human life and activities - in the form of sanitary ceramics, as insulators for electric current in appliances and wiring, and in many other areas.

  • Adobe construction- adobe buildings are architectural structures, the main material for the construction of which is clay. The adobe houses are among the earliest examples of the oldest. At the same time, the ways of using clay can be different. So, the clay mass can be tamped into a mold of wooden planks, or the clay is mixed with chopped straw and the plank base is covered with this composition.

  • Medicine and cosmetology- for a long time, clay has been widely used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. Clay is part of some medicinal ointments, as well as sorbents and preparations for getting rid of diarrhea. And in cosmetology, masks for the face and body are made from clay, and also include it in some creams.

  • Food clay- some types of clay are edible and used for food. Clay is a special additive to the basic human diet and is a valuable source of mineral salts and trace elements. Edible clay serves as a sorbent of natural origin, which helps to cleanse the human body of slag deposits and harmful toxins. At the same time, clay has an enveloping effect and can be used as a natural antiseptic.

The remarkable properties of natural mineral clays have been known since ancient times. Even then, clay was actively used not only in medicine, but also in cosmetology. Ancient healers made various poultices and rubbing from it. Inside, the clay was taken when its absorbent effect was needed. It helped to get rid of bacteria well and allowed to remove toxins from the body. Clay therapy helped with various poisonings, epidemics and muscle pains. Nowadays clay is no less popular. It is often used in dermatology. Medicinal ointments and pastes are made from it. Clay is also widely used in cosmetology. It is usually found in face masks.

The main property of cosmetic clay is to cleanse and dry the skin. Clay is able to absorb excess sebum and sweat secretions. In addition, it perfectly cleanses the skin of the face, eliminates flaking, irritation and redness. Clay masks in facial care can be used for both oily and dry skin. In addition, clay can enhance the bactericidal effect of certain substances. It is often added to anti-inflammatory ointments and masks. There are different types of cosmetic clays, which we will cover in this article.

Clays differ in color, which depends on their mineral composition. The composition of clays depends on their place of origin. Clay can be white, blue, green, red, yellow and black (gray). Each type of clay has its own specific qualities and is used in medicine and cosmetology for different purposes. You can buy natural cosmetic clay at pharmacies or cosmetics stores.

White cosmetic clay White clay (Kaolin) looks like a homogeneous white powder with a yellow or grayish tint, or it can be a dense lump. It is greasy to the touch. It dries well, cleanses, and tightens the skin. White clay is able to absorb excess fat, it visibly tightens pores. You need to know that this type of cosmetic clay also has a slight whitening effect. In addition, with its help, a woman can align the oval of the face. White clay is also an excellent antiseptic. It is used as part of bactericidal and anti-inflammatory face care products. Regular use of white clay will make your skin velvety and more elastic. The complexion will improve and freshen up. White clay is the most common. It is on its basis that most face masks are made. It is hypoallergenic and suitable for all skin types, even the most sensitive, and with oily skin it normalizes the fat balance. Kaolin is the most delicate abrasive that can be used as a soft scrub. This property of white clay is very valuable for skin with inflammatory acne, for which coarse abrasives are unacceptable, since they can aggravate the course of this skin lesion. It is also used in the form of powders, ointments, pastes, as well as for diaper rash and burns. White clay is an irreplaceable component in the composition of cleansing masks. In addition, do-it-yourself tooth powder or paste with the addition of clay not only whitens teeth even in heavy smokers and coffee lovers, but also removes tartar, strengthens enamel, and reduces the threat of caries.

The darker the color of the clay, the better it will remove fat and more effectively cope with acne.

Blue cosmetic clay

This clay has anti-inflammatory properties, it contains all the mineral salts and trace elements we need. It is able to prevent the appearance of acne, effectively accelerates the healing of wounds on the skin. This clay is excellent for cleansing the skin of the face, improves its color. Blue clay is also used to smooth mimic wrinkles. It rejuvenates the skin, making it firmer and more elastic. Blue clay can also lighten freckles and age spots. When used regularly, this type of clay can be great for problematic skin. It disinfects and smoothes the skin, relieves acne. It activates blood circulation and accelerates the metabolic process in skin cells. In addition, traditional medicine uses blue clay as a very effective remedy for baldness. And also, blue clay softens and tones the skin, also has anti-cellulite, antibacterial and anti-stress effects. Foot masks based on blue Cambrian clay improved the microcirculation of the skin of the lower extremities, which was expressed by an increase in skin firmness and elasticity, a decrease in edema and the severity of the "feeling of heaviness in the legs." Due to the high adsorption capacity of Cambrian clay, the use of a foot mask in the area of ​​the feet for 20 minutes 1-2 times a week helps to reduce the degree of sweating of the feet, eliminate unpleasant odors and can be used as a prophylactic agent for fungal and bacterial infections of the skin of the feet.

Green cosmetic clay

Green clay has this color thanks to the iron oxide. Taken directly from the quarry, the green clay looks like a dark green wet mass. This clay has found wide application in cosmetology. It can be the basis for cosmetics, and also comes in the form of masks, wraps and compresses. Due to the content of a large amount of trace elements, it helps to restore the skin's hydrobalance and has remarkable absorbing properties. Green clay softens and cleanses the skin. It relieves irritation, has a drying effect. Green clay masks perfectly cleanse the pores of the face, eliminate oily shine. At home, you can mix green clay with another type of clay.

Green clay has excellent absorbent properties. It is ideal for deep cleansing of the skin. Best for oily skin and scalp, it is used to combat seborrhea. Contributes to the shrinkage of pores and improves the function of the sebaceous glands. Possesses excellent tonic properties. It causes blood flow to the surface of the skin and provides it with the necessary nutrition. Stimulates the regeneration of skin cells. Tightens the skin and restores the line of the face. Effectively softens, smoothes wrinkles and relieves puffiness. Restores normal metabolism and has antibacterial properties, as it contains a large amount of silver. Green clay baths cleanse and soften the skin, pleasantly relieve the feeling of fatigue, stress and irritation due to the natural ability to take away all the negative energy accumulated during the day.

Red cosmetic clay

Red clay has this color due to the combination of iron oxide and copper. It is best suited for women with sensitive skin prone to allergic reactions. Masks made from this clay relieve irritation and redness on the face. They can also help get rid of flaky and itchy skin. Red clay can also be used for dry, dehydrated skin. It will help the aging and sluggish skin. This type of clay improves blood circulation, contributes to a greater saturation of the facial skin with oxygen. It is also used when there is a lack of iron in the body - it is taken orally.

When rubbed into the scalp, red clay strengthens weak and brittle hair, nourishes the hair follicles and treats oily seborrhea. The components of red clay effectively nourish and restore tired skin, help smooth out premature wrinkles, and also have the effect of "nurturing" involuntary facial expressions, especially in the forehead area.

Pink cosmetic clay

Pink clay does not exist in nature, it is the result of mixing white and red clay. This clay is perfect for all skin types. Smoothes small wrinkles, softens the skin, tightens the face contour. Pink clay has a rejuvenating effect. It nourishes and cleanses the skin, making it softer and more elastic. In addition, it is widely used in masks and applications for weakened hair and nails. It has a refreshing and revitalizing effect. Pink clay baths moisturize the skin, relieve fatigue, have a tonic effect and improve metabolic processes in tissues, creating a feeling of freshness and comfort.

Yellow cosmetic clay

Yellow clay contains a lot of potassium and iron, as well as a number of other rare trace elements. It saturates the skin with oxygen. Has a tonic effect. Improves complexion quickly, effectively and permanently. Nourishes hair, scalp, helps to get rid of dandruff. Yellow clay is capable of absorbing waste products of the body and killing pathogenic bacteria. It saturates the skin with oxygen and removes harmful toxins in various inflammatory processes, including acne. Yellow clay is great for aging and tired skin. It smoothes wrinkles, softens and cleanses the skin well, gives it elasticity and freshness. Yellow clay also exfoliates dead skin cells, softening rough skin on the hands, elbows and legs; promotes healing of small cracks. Due to its high adsorption capacity, yellow clay effectively removes sweating of the feet, eliminates their unpleasant odor. Yellow clay baths relieve fatigue after physical exertion, improve metabolic processes in tissues, improve the condition of the skin, make it smooth and velvety.

Black (gray) cosmetic clay

Black clay contains strontium, quartz, iron, magnesium and calcium. It cleanses the skin very well. This type of clay is able to perfectly absorb all harmful toxins and skin impurities. Contributes to the narrowing of the pores of the face. Suitable for normal to oily and combination skin.

The most active of all types of clays, is mined at sea depths. This is one of the most powerful remedies in the age-old women's fight against cellulite and fat deposits. Black clay is used to nourish dehydrated dry skin. It also relaxes tired muscles, relieves rheumatic pains and effectively fights bruises.

Clay - one of the oldest building materials used in construction to this day. The property of this natural material to harden under certain conditions allows it to be used for various purposes in the construction of buildings for various purposes - both residential and utility ones. From clays make supporting structures ( adobe walls ), a solution for laying stoves is started on it (the stove brick itself is actually made from it), it is used as a heater, and the walls are also plastered with clay. Due to the fact that this natural and environmentally friendly material can be widely used in construction , we decided to prepare an article on the use of clay for construction purposes.

A little about clay

Clay - fine-grained sedimentary rock, dusty in a dry state, plastic when moistened. Clay consists of one or more minerals of the kaolinite group (derived from the local name Kaolin in China), montmorillonite, or other layered aluminosilicates (clay minerals), but may also contain sandy and carbonate particles. As a rule, the rock-forming mineral in clay is kaolinite, its composition: 47% silicon oxide (IV) (SiO2), 39% aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and 14% water (H2O).

Al2O3 and SiO2 - make up a significant part of the chemical composition of clay-forming minerals.

Clay particle diameter less than 0.005 mm; rocks composed of larger particles are usually classified as loess. Most of the clays are gray, but there are clays of white, red, yellow, brown, blue, green, purple and even black. The color is due to impurities of ions - chromophores, mainly iron in valency 3 (red, yellow) or 2 (green, bluish).

The main source of clayey rocks is feldspar, the decomposition of which under the influence of atmospheric phenomena forms kaolinite and other hydrates of aluminum silicates. Some clays of sedimentary origin are formed in the process of local accumulation of the mentioned minerals, but most of them are deposits of water flows that have fallen to the bottom of lakes and seas.

Clay is a secondary product of the earth's crust, a sedimentary rock formed as a result of the destruction of rocks in the process of weathering (ru.wikipedia.org).

Adobe construction

What is it like adobe ? The term itself comes from the Turkic "straw". It means adobe by itself as a building material from clay soil, dried in the open air.

Even in the relatively recent past, this material was widespread throughout the world. To this day, adobe buildings are ubiquitous in Asia, and in Europe, and on the territory of Russia.

Despite the fact that it is now customary to use modern materials that are considered stronger and more durable, there is living evidence that many modern materials are significantly inferior in strength to houses built of clay.

For example, on the site www.subscribe.ru in the article "adobe construction" there is evidence that the participants in the war in Afghanistan testified that when a tank hit the adobe wall with direct fire, it did not collapse, but only a trace remained.

Now a little about how to make adobe. The site www.subscribe.ru provides the following information on this matter: The ground under your feet is the main source of material for construction. Sand and clay are found almost everywhere. For the mixture, you should also always use sufficiently long, strong, dry straw. The ideal mixture contains a lot of coarse sand and some clay.

Clays you need just enough to glue sand and straw, approximately in a ratio of 3 or 4 to 1, sand to clay.

Most soils are a mixture of sand, clay, and other impurities. You need to understand your soil and work with it.

Silt for adobe does not fit. Avoid soils with more than negligible silt content. Silt reduces the stickiness of the clay and is not compressive strength. Clay is significantly different from silt. Clays dry out linearly by 5-15%, therefore they crack if not mixed with a lot of sand and straw. When the clay dries in the space between the coarse sand grains, it holds them tightly together. The result is a surprisingly durable material - adobe.

Of course, this is just a short summary of how to make adobe. If you want to prepare it correctly and professionally, then the question of finding and selecting materials, as well as drawing up proportions, must be studied more carefully. Fortunately, Internet resources allow you to do this without much difficulty.

Using clay for laying stoves

Clay is the main material for the preparation of mortar for masonry ovens. The quality of this mortar has a direct impact on the quality of the masonry, and therefore the oven.

On how to properly prepare the solution, we give information from the book by A.M. Shepeleva “How to build a rural house”: “A properly prepared clay solution does not crack, binds the bricks firmly together and does not crumble. Cracks in the seams of the masonry interfere with the normal operation of the oven.

The thickness of the joints affects the strength of the masonry. The seams should be 3 mm thick (as an exception - 5 mm). The less clay and more bricks in the kiln, the higher the quality of the kiln masonry. That is why, when preparing a clay solution, it is advisable to separately sift the clay and sand through sieves with holes no more than 3x3mm, and then strain the solution again.

The dose of sand added to the clay depends on the fat content of the latter: fatter clay - more sand, and vice versa.

The clay for the solution must be well soaked and rinsed. They do it like this. They take a large strong box or barrel, fill them 1/3 of their volume with clay, fill them with water, mix thoroughly and leave them for a day or more. Then everything is mixed and, if necessary, water is added. The resulting clay milk is filtered on a sieve with holes of no more than 3 × 3 mm into another container. The remaining lumps are again poured with water, kneaded, clay is added, etc.

The water remaining from the earthen milk is drained, using it when steeping the next portion of clay. Settled clay should have the thickness of sour cream.

Having prepared the right amount of clay, determine its fat content and the need for sand. To do this, take some one volumetric part of strained clay (for example, a can of canned food) and pour it into a bucket. The same measure is used to measure 3 parts of sand, add it in small portions to the clay and mix everything with an oar or stick. If the solution strongly envelops the paddle (stick), it is greasy and you need to add sand. If individual clots adhere to the oar (stick), the solution is of normal fat content and is suitable for laying. Having measured “the sand that has become,” determine the fat content of the clay, or rather the need for sand. For example, there are 0.5 cans of sand left, which means that 2.5 parts of sand are required for 1 part of clay to prepare a solution normal in fat content (composition 1: 2.5).

Thus, depending on the quality of the clay, one volumetric part of it may require from 0.5 to 3 or more parts of sand.

The solution, normal in fat content, does not crack, it tightly binds the bricks together; a greasy solution cracks strongly, and a lean one is fragile.

The quality of the solution can be checked as follows. A ball with a diameter of 5 cm is rolled from a thick solution and a cake is made 1 cm thick and 10 cm in diameter. Both are dried at normal room temperature. After drying, they should not crack, and the ball should not crumble when dropped from a height of 1 m. In this case, the mortar is suitable for masonry.

Prepare the solution on a striker or in a box. For this, a measured portion of sand is poured in a bed, a depression is made in it, a portion of the prepared clay dough is poured and everything is mixed until completely homogeneous. If necessary, add water, getting a creamy mass that easily slides off the iron shovel, but does not spread over it. When feeling between the fingers, a continuous rough layer of grains of sand should be felt, and not slippery clay with scattered grains of sand.

During masonry, the clay mortar should be such that, with a slight pressure on it with a brick moistened with water, it easily squeezes the excessively applied mortar from the seam.

For laying 1000 bricks with joints up to 5 mm thick, 250 liters of strained mortar are required.

The time spent on filtering the solution is more than compensated by the convenience of work. "

Using clay as insulation

Clay also used as insulation. Most often it is used for ceiling insulation. To obtain high-quality insulation, in addition to clay, sawdust is used.

The website www.domoustroi.ru provides the following information on insulation of ceilings in this way: A ceiling made of clay and sawdust is distinguished by good heat resistance, ease of manufacture, light weight, fire-fighting quality and affordability.

To insulate the ceiling and make a ceiling from clay and sawdust, you should first purchase clay and sawdust. Sawdust is not difficult to acquire now, since they are even distributed free of charge by self-pickup at woodworking enterprises. Even if you have to buy sawdust, then their cost will be negligible compared to other materials for the ceiling. Clay will be a little more expensive, but you need very little of it, so you can get it yourself.

So, first, let's prepare the ceiling for the future ceiling.

Since the mixture of clay and sand will be liquid, it is necessary to lay something waterproof on the ceiling boards. You can take an ordinary film and shoot it to a tree with an ordinary construction stapler. Some cover cardboard under the film. Cardboard has a corrugated layer between flat layers, this provides additional insulation, but the ceiling becomes more fire hazardous.

After the ceiling is covered with a film, you can start mixing the clay-sawdust solution.

To do this, you need to fill a full barrel with water and pour four or five buckets of clay into it. The clay should be soaked.

Stir the clay in the barrel until it dissolves as much as possible. The water should take on a characteristic dirty color. Next, pour a couple of buckets of the resulting mixture of clay and water into a concrete mixer and cover with sawdust. Do not forget to add clay water as you mix the sawdust. The consistency should not be thick or liquid.

Further, after mixing the solution, apply it to the ceiling with an even layer of 5-10 cm, depending on the required insulation and smooth it down slightly by tamping. After a few days, the ceiling should dry out, and if small cracks appear, then it is easiest to wipe them with simple clay, although you can leave it that way, because the cracks will be insignificant.

In this article, we looked at various uses of clay, namely: wall construction , preparation of mortar for laying ovens and insulation of ceilings ... In all these cases, clay is an effective building material. In conclusion, it should be noted that these are not all options for using clay in construction, for example, it is used in the production of expanded clay and cement, so this natural material, without any exaggeration, justifies the title of this article: "Clay is a universal natural material for construction."

The article was prepared by Evgeny IZMAILOV,

photo srubnbrus.com