Chemical Analysis of Local Kansas Clay and its use in Ceramic Art

Abstract

Seeking to learn more about local material and its potential for use in ceramic art, as well as investigating the possibility of replicating the effects of local clay using raw materials to compose a clay body, a sample of locally-harvested clay was sent to CoorsTek Analytical Laboratories for testing. X-ray diffraction and x-ray fluorescence processes were used to determine the chemical contents of the sample. The resulting list of elements was converted into a clay-body recipe using the Unity Molecular Formula to target specific desirable characteristics. The following testing and further experimentation over the course of more than a year has yielded highly promising results which prove to be both useful for my practice now, and have led to inspiring questions for future research.

Introduction

The geomorphology of the earth beneath our feet determines the minerals found in our environment, the way we view and interact with the landscape, and what we may do with the land around us. Captivated using local materials in my work, and in specific reference to clay, this involves a significant amount of primary research  looking for new and interesting clays. Through these expeditions, I have come across a hillside