Advantages of Calcined Kaolin Use in the Paint Industry

 

What is Kaolin?

Kaolin, one of the essential fillers in the paints and coatings sector, is a natural clay raw material containing Ca and Na. It can also be described as a raw material characterized by the kaolinite mineral. In industrial applications, it is included in production under the name 'kaolin' in its 'calcined' form. Raw materials in which kaolinite is enriched and used within kaolinitic clays are classified as "kaolin" regardless of their origin, while others are included in clay raw materials. The brightness, abrasiveness, viscosity and particle size distribution—maximum particle size—shape of the produced kaolins and, consequently, their rheology (water + clay behavior) are very important. All these properties are determined by kaolin's formation conditions and are developed through post-production processing.

Calcined Kaolin Formation

During the extraction of kaolin from nature, it contains unwanted impurities. These impurities and a certain amount of water contained in the kaolin are removed through the calcination process. Calcined kaolin is a form of kaolin that has been subjected to calcination at approximately 1,100°C to gain superior optical and physical properties. It finds applications in the paints and coatings, plastics, rubber, polymer, paper, adhesive and ceramic industries.

Kaolin's Role in the Paints and Coatings Industry

Fillers are based on natural minerals. These minerals are obtained after being processed in their most natural state, micronized (ground), and separated. They are powdery substances insoluble in the environment to which they are applied, used to obtain certain technical properties or to modify these properties—volume-increasing materials. Industrial minerals used for filler purposes significantly affect paint quality and performance. At the same time, fillers reduce formulation costs while providing advantages in better film formation, preventing rapid settling, increasing resistance to weather conditions and thus reducing moisture transmission rate. In the paints and coatings industry, their use—particularly in reducing formulation costs and reducing titanium dioxide consumption—provides significant advantage, but they also possess many similar properties. As Günkem, we demonstrate the difference of calcined kaolin in terms of product, price and quality in the paints and coatings industry. Thanks to the cooperation between Super Kaolin, one of China's largest calcined kaolin producers, and Günkem, the market share of high-quality calcined kaolin is expanding day by day. Our product, marketed under the name CALCINED KAOLIN DG80, reduces the cost of your applications while contributing to your color and performance value. It can be easily used in both water-based and solvent-based applications, as well as in the production of electrophoretic paints and inks. In addition to the high whiteness it provides, it has uniform particle distribution and high dispersibility properties; it is thixotropic. At the same time, its high gloss and opacity increase production quality. CALCINED KAOLIN DG80 series is used in the paints and coatings industry. Product specifications are as follows: For all other detailed information, you can contact the Günkem Sales Team. Gizem Sarp - Chemical Engineer - Sales and Business Development Director - Günkem