ball clay


nounCeramics.
  1. a fine dark kaolinic clay that turns white or nearly white when fired, used in the manufacture of a wide variety of ceramic wares in combination with other clays for its exceptional bonding properties and plasticity.

Origin of ball clay

1
First recorded in 1805–15

Words Nearby ball clay

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use ball clay in a sentence

  • The use of a ball clay is therefore limited in white wares because it will spoil the color.

    The Potter's Craft | Charles F. Binns
  • For earthenware or china, the English potters use only two sorts of clays: the ball clay, also called blue clay, and the kaolin.

  • ball clay is very plastic, easily vitrified, but is not white.

    The Potter's Craft | Charles F. Binns
  • If it shrinks too little, a little ball clay will correct it.

    The Potter's Craft | Charles F. Binns
  • Pipe clays are an inferior quality of ball clay; they contain rather more iron and alkalies and considerably more silica.

    The Natural History of Clay | Alfred B. Searle