Laponite RD
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Description
[Laporte Absorbents] A brand name for a synthetically prepared clay composed of sodium magnesium lithium silicate. When mixed with water, Laponite forms a clear thixotropic gel. Industrially, it is used in paints, inks, cleaning materials, shampoos and cosmetics. In some conservation treatments, Laponite has been used as a poulticing material to remove stains and dirt from ceramic and stone objects.
Risks
- Dust may contain fine particle silica.
Physical and Chemical Properties
Disperses and gels in water.
Resources and Citations
- D.Ling, "Laponite Poulticing", Conservation News, 46, p.10-11,1991.
- Ceramics and Glass Conservation Section, List of Workshop Materials, The British Museum, London
- Marie Svoboda, Conservation Survey Index, unpublished, 1997
- Gordon Hanlon, contributed information, 1998