Clay Minerals
The uses of clay and shale are determined to a large degree by the properties of their clay minerals and to a lesser degree by the impurities present. A clay or shale containing the clay mineral illite, and other similar but less important clay minerals, commonly becomes red when fired and gets hard at a relatively low temperature. It therefore is used to make red bricks, drain tile, building tile, and other structural clay products.
Another clay mineral, kaolinite, generally burns to a light color and is difficult to fuse. Therefore, clays composed wholly or mainly of kaolinite can be used for making buff or light-colored bricks and for the manufacture of highly heat-resistant (refractory) bricks.
The clay mineral in the southern Illinois clay that was used to decolorize oil is montmorillonite. This clay is now used in sweeping compounds, as an oil absorbent, as animal litter, and for other purposes.