Feldspar
The feldspar group minerals are the most abundant minerals in the earth's crust. High concentrations of alumina (Al2O3) and alkalis (K2O and Na2O) together with low levels of trace elements such as iron oxide (Fe2O3) define a high quality feldspar product. Alumina adds hardness, durability and resistance to chemical corrosion while the alkalis act as a flux lowering the temperature of a ceramic body during firing. Feldspar's physical properties of dispersibility, weatherability, scrub resistance, and mildew resistance make it attractive to the coatings industry.I-Minerals is focusing on potassium feldspar (K-spar). Deposits of high quality K-spar that can be economically extracted are rare. This rarity of quality deposits has resulted in K-spar selling at higher prices than sodium feldspar. These products are offered in a variety of grinds to meet the requirements of a given industry.
Uses
Pure K-feldspar is highly valued and has limited availability in the United States and other parts of the world. Producers of high clarity glass, ceramics, sanitary ware, tableware, and paint are the primary users of K-feldspar. With a focus on the production of K-spar, I-Minerals will focus on white ceramic bodies and glaze applications in the ceramic industry as the quality of its test products has been very well received by prospective customers. Industrial and marine paint manufacturers use an ultra fine grind variety of feldspar.
