English 
Español
Français
Català
Natural Pottery Clay
SIO-2® ARGILA is a 100% natural pottery clay. Easy and pleasant to work with. Ideal for modelling, sculpture and throwing on a potter's wheel.
Suitable for children's use. It is a very adequate didactic material in the development of manual dexterity and creativity. Recommended for crafts and creative arts, as well as for many other applications where a natural clay is needed.
It is a very pure and finely ground clay. It features excellent plasticity for best performance during modelling. Once the piece is made, it is left to dry in the air. Once dry, it is recommended to fire it in a ceramic kiln (between 970 and 1050ºC) and decorate with ceramic glazes.
Conforms to European regulation EN-71 and USA (AP non-toxic product) regulations. Does not contain food allergens.
Natural clay
Excellent plasticity
Pleasant to touch
Odorless
/SIO-2 ARGILA/Utilitzant SIO-2 Argila (SIO-2).jpg)
/SIO-2 ARGILA/Figura Cerdito SIO-2 Argila.jpg)
/SIO-2 ARGILA/Foto participant calandari 20222.jpg)
/SIO-2 ARGILA/BUSTO.jpg)
SIO-2 ARGILA 1,5 kg
/SIO-2 ARGILA/204400011000_10.jpg)
White 1,5 kg
/SIO-2 ARGILA/209400011000_10.jpg)
Red 1,5 kg
SIO-2 ARGILA 5 kg
/SIO-2 ARGILA/204600010000_10_1.jpg)
White 5 kg
/SIO-2 ARGILA/201600010000_10_1.jpg)
Red 5 kg
SIO-2 ARGILA 12,5 kg
/SIO-2 ARGILA/204620010000_10.jpg)
White 12,5 kg
/SIO-2 ARGILA/201620010000_10.jpg)
Red 12,5 kg
SIO-2 ARGILA Grog 10 kg
/SIO-2 ARGILA/248610010000_10.jpg)
White with grog 10 kg
/SIO-2 ARGILA/247610010000_10.jpg)
Red with grog 10 kg
How to use it
Working with clay
It is advisable to knead the clay before starting your work. If in the course of the work the clay loses plasticity, it is enough to slightly moisten your hands to recover it. Easy modelling. It can also be moulded (we recommend plaster moulds) and thrown in a potter’s wheel. Solid or very thin-walled objects can be made with optimal results.
Discover more tips and useful tools on the Blog: "How to Work with Clay"
ATTENTION: if clay is used to wrap rigid interior supports, it is recommended to first cover the surface with paper or cloth. The water in the clay evaporates during the drying process and causes shrinkage that can lead to cracks. To avoid this negative effect, the solid surface is covered with a flexible and absorbent material to support the drying process of the clay. This will also absorb moisture inside the object and prevent cracks.
Discover more tips and useful tools on the Blog: "How to Work with Clay"
ATTENTION: if clay is used to wrap rigid interior supports, it is recommended to first cover the surface with paper or cloth. The water in the clay evaporates during the drying process and causes shrinkage that can lead to cracks. To avoid this negative effect, the solid surface is covered with a flexible and absorbent material to support the drying process of the clay. This will also absorb moisture inside the object and prevent cracks.
Drying
Once the object is finished, let it dry evenly, avoiding direct heat sources and drafts.
ATTENTION: during drying, the clay shrinks (5-7%). The more water the clay contains, the greater its drying shrinkage. Therefore, it is advisable not to add additional water to the clay, otherwise cracks may appear.
ADVICE: let the piece dry on an absorbent surface (ideally wood or plaster). In the case of non-absorbent surfaces (such as metal, plastic or glass), it is recommended to place the piece on a sheet of paper to facilitate the shrinkage of the clay during drying.
ATTENTION: during drying, the clay shrinks (5-7%). The more water the clay contains, the greater its drying shrinkage. Therefore, it is advisable not to add additional water to the clay, otherwise cracks may appear.
ADVICE: let the piece dry on an absorbent surface (ideally wood or plaster). In the case of non-absorbent surfaces (such as metal, plastic or glass), it is recommended to place the piece on a sheet of paper to facilitate the shrinkage of the clay during drying.
Finishing
Once dry, the object can be polished, carved or drilled.
Firing
Fire the SIO-2 ARGILA clay in a ceramic kiln at the following optimum temperatures: 1000ºC (Cone 06) for red clay and 1050ºC (Cone 04) for white clay.
The object slightly reduces in size when fired due to firing shrinkage.
ADVICE: in the case of very large, solid or difficult-to-dry pieces, it is recommended to preheat slowly between 150 and 200ºC with the oven door slightly open (not hermetically sealed). This will favour the total evacuation of the drying moisture before firing. In these types of pieces, it is advisable to use clay with grog.
The object slightly reduces in size when fired due to firing shrinkage.
ADVICE: in the case of very large, solid or difficult-to-dry pieces, it is recommended to preheat slowly between 150 and 200ºC with the oven door slightly open (not hermetically sealed). This will favour the total evacuation of the drying moisture before firing. In these types of pieces, it is advisable to use clay with grog.
Glazing and decoration
SIO-2 ARGILA clay exhibits exceptional behaviour with conventional ceramic glazes. Glazing is recommended once the piece is fired (double-firing). The optimal temperature for firing the glaze is indicated by the manufacturer. For white clay, it is recommended to use alkaline glazes to prevent the white from darkening.
It is recommended to use specific bibliography on techniques and tips for decoration with ceramic glazes.
It is recommended to use specific bibliography on techniques and tips for decoration with ceramic glazes.
Storage
Once the package is opened, wrap the remaining clay in plastic. If the clay has hardened during storage, but is still moist, it can be softened again by kneading it with moist hands.
During work interruptions, cover the object with plastic or a damp cloth.
ATTENTION: do not store at temperatures below 0ºC. If clay freezes, it loses its plasticity and becomes brittle.
During work interruptions, cover the object with plastic or a damp cloth.
ATTENTION: do not store at temperatures below 0ºC. If clay freezes, it loses its plasticity and becomes brittle.
FAQ's
What makes SIO-2 ARGILA clay different?
Compared to other potter's clays, SIO-2 ARGILA is a very pure clay, finely ground and, in the case of the 1.5 kg format, presented in a practical individual vacuum pack. Its formulation is highly balanced to obtain the best performance during modelling, drying and firing. The raw colour persists after firing. Its behaviour with ceramic glazes on the market is exceptional.
Compared to other modelling clays and plasticines, SIO-2 ARGILA is a 100% natural product, made up only of clay and water, which gives it an extraordinarily fresh and pleasant touch, without traces of odour or other substances on the hands.
Compared to other modelling clays and plasticines, SIO-2 ARGILA is a 100% natural product, made up only of clay and water, which gives it an extraordinarily fresh and pleasant touch, without traces of odour or other substances on the hands.
How long does SIO-2 ARGILA clay take to dry?
The drying speed is equivalent to that of other natural clays, so the drying time ranges between 1 and 4 days depending on the size of the piece, its shape and the environmental conditions (temperature and ventilation, basically). In the case of large, solid pieces or pieces with flat or delicate shapes, it is recommended to delay drying, protecting the piece from drafts and direct heat sources.
Is it necessary to fire SIO-2 ARGILA clay?
If the objective of using SIO-2 ARGILA clay is to obtain a durable finished piece (decorated or not), then it is necessary to fire the clay in a ceramic kiln. However, SIO-2 ARGILA clay is used in many other applications, in which it is not necessary to fire.
What is the difference between SIO-2 ARGILA and air-drying clays?
SIO-2 ARGILA clay is the ideal material for making creations using modelling, potter's wheel and moulding techniques. However, if you want to preserve the piece once it has been made, it must be fired in a ceramic kiln; in which case, it is easily decorated with conventional glazes on the market. It is, therefore, a potter's clay. If a ceramic kiln is not available, it is recommended to use self-hardening clays, such as SIO-2® PLUS and COLOR PLUS clays, which acquire great hardness and solidity after drying, and can then be decorated with any paint or varnish.
What is grog and what is it used for?
Grog, also known as chamotte, is clay calcined at high temperature and subsequently ground. It is used to stabilize clay during drying and firing. The large particle size favours the compaction of the clay, avoiding cracks and favouring the outgassing that occurs during firing. Grog is used instead of common sand because its ceramic behaviour is very similar to that of clay itself. In fact, grog is previously calcined (fired) clay, so that no dimensional stresses are generated within the piece during the entire firing process (heating and cooling).
Can it be dangerous if a child eats clay?
Clay is not food. In case of accidental ingestion, it is a non-toxic product, in accordance with the European regulation EN-71 and the USA regulation (seal AP non-toxic product). It does not contain gluten or other food allergens. Remove the packaging before giving the clay to a child.
Does clay expire?
SIO-2 ARGILA clay does not expire. If the packaging is not damaged, the original humidity is maintained for a minimum period of 2 years. If the clay dries out, it can be recovered with water.
