Abstract: A clay slurry with a solids content of at least about 60 weight percent and a casting rate of at least 60 grams per hour, wherein the slurry contains from about 68 to about 74 weight percent of silica and less than about 0.8 percent of carbon. At least about 9 weight percent of the particles in the slurry are larger than about 44 microns, and at least about 5 weight percent of the particles in said slurry are larger than about 74 microns.

Abstract: A clay slurry with a solids content of at least about 60 weight percent and a casting rate of at least 60 grams per hour, wherein the slurry contains from about 68 to about 74 weight percent of silica and less than about 0.8 percent of carbon. At least about 9 weight percent of the particles in the slurry are larger than about 44 microns, and at least about 5 weight percent of the particles in said slurry are larger than about 74 microns.

Abstract: A process for preparing a ball clay slurry with a casting rate of at least about 50, a modulus of rupture of at least 500 pounds per square inch, and from about 0.1 to about 1.0 weight percent of organic polyelectrolyte. In this process, a digested lignite material is mixed with a lignitic coarse clay, a nonlignitic coarse clay, a lignitic fine clay, and a polyelectrolyte dispersing agent.

Abstract: A slurry composition which may be used to produce a casting slip is provided. The slurry is made by blending a ball clay/water mixture together with a separate mixture of clay and water.The blended slurry thus produced contains from about 0.01 to about 1.0 weight percent of polyelectrolyte. When this blended slurry is mixed with from 40 to 55 parts of nonplastic material (such as flint), a casting slip is produced.

Abstract: A ball clay/water slurry which may be used to prepare ceramic sanitaryware articles is disclosed. This slurry contains from 58 to 68 percent of ball clay with a specificed particle size distribution, 42 to 32 percent of water, 0.001 to 1.0 of organic polyelectrolyte, and from 50 to 650 parts per million of soluble sulfate ion.The slurry possesses rheological and casting rate properties which make it especially suitable for use in casting slips. It has a settling index of at least 0.9, a flow index of from 20 to 30 seconds, a casting rate of from 30 to 60 grams after 1 hour, and a transmission of at least 60 percent.

Abstract: A blended, stable ball clay/water slurry, wherein:1. the slurry comprises from about 58 to about 68 weight percent of ball clay, from about 42 to about 32 weight percent of water, from about 50 to about 650 parts per million (by dry weight of ball clay) of soluble sulfate ion, and from about 0.01 to about 1.0 percent of organic polyelectrolyte (weight of active ingredient by weight of dry ball clay) with a molecular weight of from about 1400 to about 6000;2. the slurry, when freshly made has a five-minute gel viscosity of from about 1,000 to about 10,000 centipoise, a ten-minute gel viscosity of from about 2,200 to about 12,000 centipoise, and a twenty-minute gel viscosity of from about 3,500 to about 14,000 centipoise.

Abstract: At least two different ball clay/water mixtures are blended together to produce a ball clay/water slurry, wherein:1. the slurry comprises from about 58 to about 68 weight percent of ball clay, from about 42 to about 32 weight percent of water, from about 50 to about 650 parts per million (by dry weight of ball clay) of soluble sulfate ion, and from about 0.01 to about 1.0 percent of organic polyelectrolyte (weight of active ingredient by weight of dry ball clay) with a molecular weight of from about 1400 to about 6000;2. the slurry, when freshly made has a five-minute gel viscosity of from about 1,000 to about 10,000 centipose, a ten-minute gel viscosity of from about 2,200 to about 12,000 centipoise, and a twenty-minute gel viscosity of from about 3,500 to about 14,000 centipoise.