St Thomas Clays

Manufacturing Methods of Prepared Clay Bodies

Bodies marked with a 'P' are finished by our Panmilling technique. This production method gives excellent, reliable control of grog and water contents but is inherently more open to occasional larger or extraneous particles arising in the ingredients or during processing. It generally produces better moisture control in grogged bodies.

Bodies marked with an 'S' are Sliphoused bodies. These are prepared in very large batches in slip form which is finely sieved prior to or after grog addition. The purified slip is then pumped into presses for dewatering prior to pugging. Sliphousing gives greater product uniformity and virtually guarantees freedom from contamination, but it is more difficult to control grog contents due to settling from suspension, and moisture content. It is the best technique for smooth-textured bodies.

Bodies marked with a 'PB' are produced by a Plastic Blending process, which yields bodies offering the high purity and cost effectiveness of a sliphoused product together with the ultra-tight control over grog additions offered by the panmilling process.