The dust pressing process is suitable for many ceramic and non-ceramic products. Almost any ceramic powder can be pressed and, if needed, binders can be added to achieve added dry hardness. However lower plasticity, low contaminant clays are best (we recommend starting with our 3D raw clay). Almost all ceramic tile is made by dust pressing, the tile industry is by far the biggest user of ceramic materials. In recent years many other industries have also adopted the dust pressing process (replacing others that have been used for centuries). Amazingly, it is possible to layer dusts of different formulations into a mold and press them as a layered matrix. Many high-technology parts are made by this method. Some of the advantages of this process are:

Parts of tighter tolerance can be made
Less drying equipment (and therefore less energy consumption) and floor space are needed, ware can be fired soon after forming
Cleaner shapes with smoother surfaces can be made
Changes in body plasticity is not nearly as big an issue
Clay mixes with coarse particles can be still be employed to create objects with smooth surfaces
Pressed items have much better dimensional stability and produce flat true shapes that can be fired with less warping.

Plainsman clays is an ideal supplier of dust pressing raw clay, silty and sandy powders because:

Our process can create powders at up to 8% water content, these can thus be put straight into your pressing machines
Our parent company has more than 60 years of experience with dust pressing production, we can assist you to adopt this technology
The Plainsman suite of materials can be blended to create a wide range of custom materials of high consistency
We have a long history of delivering consistent product quickly and efficiently.

Plainsman Clays Ltd., 702 Wood Street, Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 1E9
Phone: 403-527-8535 FAX: 403-527-7508

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Clays for Dust Pressing