The focus of research is to enhance proper and effective utilization of local clay materials for higher value applications. The current fields of investigations are to develop and produce commercial body recipes of high quality and consistency for making high-end whiteware products, using as much as possible the local clays and other ceramic raw materials. The research activities involve: -

• Detail analysis of the physico-chemical properties of clay and other ceramic raw materials;
• Beneficiation processes for purification and value adding;
• Body formulation and preparation;
• Product fabrication and testing; and Commercial production.

• To produce quality and cheap clay based material which can be competitive at international level concurrent with the enhancement use of local material as well as avoiding the wrong usage and wastage of resources.
• To be the center of excellence in various technical services and clay technology.

Activities

1) Suitability study of Pahang raw materials for the production of ceramic product.

Local clay material in Muadzam area reported to have a deposit of 8.5 million tonnes. The materials were studied for its suitability in the production of commercial ceramic products. Some of other local raw materials such as silica and feldspar were also investigated in the in the development of ceramic body.

Beneficiation works carried out involved the main processes such as milling, magnetic separation and also filter pressing, until the materials were suitable to be used as substitutes for the imported clay and kaolin that have been used in the previous porcelain formulations. Currently several formulations were developed which concluded the production of potential porcelain quality product.

2) Suitability study of Kelantan raw materials for the production of ceramic product.

Local clay material around Kelantan areas were studied for its suitability in the production of commercial ceramic products. Beneficiation works carried out on raw materials sources such as clay and feldspar for the production of ceramic product. Beneficiation works carried out involves the main processes such as milling, magnetic separation and also filter pressing. Formulation studies were conducted to find the best possible high value ceramic product. Current R&D concludes that Kelantan clay and feldspar can be used as substitutes for the imported clay and feldspar that have been used in the previous porcelain formulations.

3) Development of whiteware products using ball clay from Ekor Kuching area in the state of Kedah.

Investigations in the Ekor Kuching area, Padang Serai, Kedah, indicated a ball clay deposit of about 4.1 million tonnes. It is reported that the ball clay is suitable for making whiteware products. As such, R&D have been undertaken to determine the suitability of the ball clay in the production of commercially-viable whiteware products. The R&D activities involved field sampling, physico-chemical analysis of the ball clay, preparation of the ball clay and other body components, designing body recipes, body formulations, body fabrications, products development and pre-commercialization. The R&D has resulted in the development of translucent and electrical porcelains that have the potentials to be commercialized.

4) Development of whiteware products using clay from Kimanis area in the state of Sabah.

Investigation on the clay resources in the Kimanis area, southwestern Sabah, has delineated a ball clay deposit of about 12.9 million tonnes. It is reported that the ball clay can be used in the ceramic industries as well as in the production of structural clay. As such, R&D have been undertaken to determine the suitability of the ball clay in the production of higher value ceramic products that can be commercialized by the local small and medium industries. The R&D activities involved the physico-chemical analysis of the ball clay, preparation of the ball clay and other body components, designing body recipes, body formulations, body fabrications, products development and pre-commercialization. The R&D has resulted in the development of translucent, hard and electrical porcelains that can be commercialized.

5) Suitability study of Perak raw materials for the production of ceramic product.

Cooperation between PKNP – PPM (JMG) began in November 2006. PPM (JMG) was entrusted to study the potential of kaolin in Trong area Taiping, Perak. The deposit is reported to have about 8 million tonnes covering the area of 500 acres. Studies involve the production of high value porcelain products. The cooperation also agrees in the sharing of manpower, facilities and expertise between PKNP – PPM (JMG). The R&D has resulted in many formulations that can be commercialized.