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Kaolin

PW19

Alternate Names

Kaolinite

Bentonite

China Clay

Pigment Description

Kaolin clay is related to bentonite. PW19 is mostly hydrated Aluminium Silicate and may also bring along some impurities such as silica.

See Monona Rossol's work on pigments here for notes on kaolins and free silica hazards; also avoid breathing the dust. She writes "All clays are inert dusts that can cause respiratory problems at high exposures. Some may contain free silica." Kaolin is usually bright white but it can carry a color cast depending on the supplier.

Resources

PW19 pigment data from David G. Myers, The Color of Art Pigment Database, Artiscreation.comCAMEO Materials Database: Conservation & Art Materials Encyclopedia Online, Museum of Fine Arts Boston. (Accessed June 2043). Kaolin https://cameo.mfa.org/wiki/Kaolin. Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

Stats

Lightfastness

Excellent

It was not mentioned on studies about mixing white pigments

Transparency

Varies, Transparent, Semi-Transparent, Opaque in Water

Toxicity

Possible Hazard

Dust is a hazard. Monona Rossol writes "All clays are inert dusts that can cause respiratory problems at high exposures. Some may contain free silica." The NPIMI also mentions that the ensure there is no free silica to verify this with the supplier. Treat all pigments and paints with studio safety protocols.

Oil Content

Varies

Particle Size

Very Fine

Chemical Name

Hydrated Aluminium Silicate, possibly with impurities

Al₂Si₂O₅(OH)₄ (Calcined Kaolinite from Natural Pigments), Vicenza Earth SiO₂ Al₂O₃ H₂O

with PW19 (Kaolin)

No single-pigment Oil found with PW19

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