Soda Feldspar refers to group of Aluminum Silicate of sodium. The chief use of Feldspar is in the Ceramic and Glass Industries. Smaller quantities are used in the manufacturing of Tiles, Whiteware, and Sanitaryware. Other uses of Feldspar include Catalysts, Acid resistant and Decorative Stone as a flux or binding agent in certain scanning Soaps and artificial teeth. In ceramic bodies, the main vitrifying (fluxing) agent is feldspar. The majority of white ware bodies contain good proportions of feldspar. It acts as a flux. In the ceramic industry, the flux is defined as that portion of the body which develops glass phase. This is provided mostly by feldspar. The amount of flux in a ceramic body should be only in such a proportion as to develop the desired amount of vitrification. If excess of flux is added, the fired body becomes very glassy and consequently, brittle. SALIENT FEATURES It acts as a flux It is the main vitrifying agent in ceramic bodies APPLICATIONS Glass and Ceramic industries are the major consumers of feldspar and account for 95% of the total consumption. Porcelain, china and earthenware Preparation of Glazes and Enamel Glass sand batch Used as a bonding agent in the manufacture of bonded abrasives like wheels and discs of garnet, corundum, emery etc.
