The Ceramics Laboratory works with the Vanderbilt mining subsidiaries, sales organization and customers to provide technical assistance on the best incorporation of Company products into a customer’s manufacturing process. This lab has particular expertise in ceramic bodies and rheology control of ceramic bodies and glazes. We work in close cooperation with ceramic manufacturers to assist them in improving recovery and quality and in widening the process range.

This laboratory, in cooperation with others in the R&D Division, routinely characterizes the chemistry, mineralogy, physical properties, pyrophysical properties and rheological properties of mineral raw materials, bodies and glazes. Among the instrumental characterization and evaluation tests performed are:

• Sample preparation and beneficiation – Jaw crusher, grinding mills, Raymond air
  separator, Frantz magnetic separator
• Identification and semiquantification of mineral phases - Philips x-ray diffractometer
• Particle size distribution - Micromeritics Sedigraph
• Raw and fired brightness - Technidyne Brightimeter Micro S4M
• Fired shrinkage - Harrop Electric Furnace
• Rheology - Brookfield DV-III programmable rheometer
• Microscopy - Nikon Apophot microscope

In addition to supporting the present Ceramics Department mineral products (wollastonite, pyrophyllite, kaolinite, smectites), binders, suspension agents, dispersants and fungicides, we are constantly investigating additions and improvements to our product line in response to specific customer needs.