Potash feldspar, soda feldspar, quartz powder, and dolomite sourced from audited Rajasthan producers — supplied in bulk to Australian and Asia-Pacific ceramics manufacturers with pre-shipment Certificate of Analysis on every shipment.
Ceramic tiles, porcelain, sanitaryware, and technical ceramics all depend on a carefully controlled blend of aluminosilicate fluxes, structural silica, and dolomitic fillers. The chemistry of each mineral directly determines firing temperature, vitrification behaviour, glaze surface quality, whiteness, and mechanical strength of the finished product.
PIME sources its ceramic-grade minerals exclusively from audited producers in Rajasthan, India — the global centre of high-purity feldspar and quartz mining. Rajasthan's Aravalli hill deposits yield feldspar with naturally high K₂O and Na₂O, very low Fe₂O₃ contamination, and consistent whiteness — properties that have made Indian feldspar the preferred raw material for ceramics manufacturers in Italy, Spain, China, and increasingly in Australia and Southeast Asia.
We supply single minerals or matched sets of ceramics-grade raw materials in commercial bulk volumes, with each consignment accompanied by a full XRF Certificate of Analysis covering all relevant oxide parameters.
Each mineral plays a distinct and irreplaceable chemical role across ceramic body, glaze, and porcelain formulations. Understanding these roles helps ceramics manufacturers select the right grade and specification for each product line.
Potash feldspar is the primary flux mineral in ceramic body formulations for stoneware, floor tiles, sanitaryware, and technical porcelain. Its high K₂O content lowers the eutectic melting point of the body, promoting vitrification — the formation of a glassy, low-porosity matrix — without excessive deformation at kiln temperatures of 1200–1280 °C.
In glazes, potash feldspar produces a viscous, high-surface-tension melt that yields matte, satin, or semi-matte surfaces with excellent scratch and chemical resistance. The Al₂O₃ contribution (18–22%) from feldspar also acts as a refractory stabiliser in both body and glaze, reducing crazing and improving thermal shock resistance.
Soda feldspar (albite) is a lower-melting flux than its potash counterpart, becoming active at approximately 1100–1200 °C. Its Na₂O content makes it an effective fluxing agent in earthenware and wall-tile bodies fired at lower temperatures, and an essential glaze ingredient where high gloss and translucency are required.
The Na⁺ ion disrupts the silicate network more aggressively than K⁺, creating a lower-viscosity melt in the glaze. This results in brighter, more specular surfaces — the characteristic high-gloss finish of modern ceramic wall tiles and sanitary glazes is largely attributable to soda feldspar content.
Quartz powder (finely milled silicon dioxide) is the primary structural component of ceramic bodies. During firing, SiO₂ undergoes a crystal phase inversion from alpha- to beta-quartz at 573 °C, and above 1050 °C begins to dissolve into the glassy feldspar matrix, contributing to vitrification and reducing open porosity.
In the unfired green body, quartz powder controls shrinkage, provides dimensional stability, and acts as a framework mineral around which the flux-rich feldspar melts. In porcelain formulations, the SiO₂:Al₂O₃ ratio — controlled by the proportion of quartz to feldspar — determines fired whiteness, translucency, and mechanical strength.
Dolomite serves as a dual-source flux and opacifier in ceramic systems. On heating, CaMg(CO₃)₂ decomposes between 650–900 °C to release CO₂ and yield reactive CaO and MgO oxides. These interact with feldspar and quartz in the body and glaze melt, modifying viscosity and thermal expansion behaviour.
In glazes, dolomite is a classical secondary flux used to introduce MgO, which promotes a silky, semi-matte glaze texture distinct from the matt produced by alumina saturation. It also acts as a mild opacifier, producing milk-white or cream glaze effects in reduction and soda-fired work. In ceramic bodies, dolomite is used in small additions (2–5%) to stabilise the firing range and reduce the risk of bloating.
The table below summarises the key chemical and physical parameters PIME guarantees for each ceramic-grade mineral. All values are verified by XRF analysis on production-batch samples prior to shipment. Certificates of Analysis available on request.
| Parameter | Potash Feldspar | Soda Feldspar | Quartz Powder | Dolomite Powder |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SiO₂ (%) | 62–70 | 65–68 | ≥ 99.0 | ≤ 2.0 |
| Al₂O₃ (%) | 18–22 | 19–21 | ≤ 0.3 | ≤ 0.5 |
| K₂O (%) | ≥ 10.0 | ≤ 2.0 | — | — |
| Na₂O (%) | 3.0–5.0 | 8.5–9.5 | — | — |
| CaO (%) | ≤ 0.5 | ≤ 0.5 | ≤ 0.05 | 30.0–32.0 |
| MgO (%) | ≤ 0.2 | ≤ 0.2 | ≤ 0.03 | 20.0–22.0 |
| Fe₂O₃ (%) | ≤ 0.10 | ≤ 0.15 | ≤ 0.05 | ≤ 0.25 |
| TiO₂ (%) | ≤ 0.05 | ≤ 0.05 | ≤ 0.02 | — |
| LOI at 1000 °C (%) | ≤ 0.3 | ≤ 0.3 | ≤ 0.1 | 43–47 |
| Moisture (%) | ≤ 0.5 | ≤ 0.5 | ≤ 0.5 | ≤ 1.0 |
| Standard Mesh Sizes | 200, 300 | 200, 300 | 200, 300, 600, 1000 | 200, 300, 400 |
| Whiteness / Brightness | ≥ 85% | ≥ 85% | ≥ 92% (ISO 2469) | ≥ 88% |
Custom mesh sizes, purity grades, and blended specifications available. Contact PIME for a tailored technical data sheet.
We are not a broker — we are a specialist Australian trading house with direct, long-term relationships with audited producers in India's Rajasthan mineral belt. That means consistent quality, transparent chemistry, and supply you can build a production schedule around.
The Aravalli range in Rajasthan hosts some of the world's lowest-iron, highest-whiteness feldspar and quartz deposits. The geology delivers mineral grains with K₂O often exceeding 11% in potash feldspar — above the 10% threshold required by premium ceramics grades — with Fe₂O₃ naturally below 0.10%, minimising the risk of yellow or brown colouration in fired bodies and glazes.
Every consignment is tested from the production batch prior to container loading. The CoA covers all critical oxide parameters (SiO₂, Al₂O₃, K₂O, Na₂O, Fe₂O₃, TiO₂, LOI), particle size distribution, moisture, and whiteness. Third-party inspection by SGS, Bureau Veritas, or Intertek is available on request at the buyer's cost — providing an additional layer of assurance for your incoming quality control.
Ceramic glaze and body formulations are sensitive to variation in alkali oxide ratios. A shift of 0.5% in Na₂O or K₂O can change glaze melting temperature by 10–15 °C and affect surface texture. PIME works with producers who maintain strict blending and beneficiation protocols to deliver consistent oxide chemistry across shipments — so your recipes remain stable.
Rather than sourcing potash feldspar, soda feldspar, quartz, and dolomite from multiple suppliers, ceramics manufacturers can consolidate mineral procurement through PIME. We coordinate consolidated FCL shipments combining multiple minerals, reducing freight costs and simplifying documentation for Australian quarantine and customs clearance.
All shipments are accompanied by full export documentation including packing lists, commercial invoices, MSDS/SDS, and country-of-origin certificates. We are familiar with Australian Biosecurity Import Conditions (BICON) and DAFF requirements for industrial mineral imports, ensuring smooth clearance at Australian ports.
We supply in 25 kg multi-wall paper bags, 1 MT FIBC jumbo bags, and in bulk loose-fill containers depending on your plant's handling capacity. Minimum order quantities start from a single 20-foot FCL for established grades. Trial orders of 5 MT can be arranged for qualification purposes.
Request a sample, a Certificate of Analysis from a recent production batch, or a bulk supply quote. Our team responds within one business day.