Ball clay was used in smelting for stopping-off furnace tap holes and slag
holes and for carrying out temporary furnace repairs. Larger quantities
would be used for sealing the doors on second smelt tin reverberatory
furnaces which were forced to high temperatures and for copper reduction
furnaces. It would also be mixed with charcoal to make crucibles and some
types of furnace hearth. It was used also in mining for holding candles on
hats/niches and for explosive charge stemming in conjunction with fine rock
debris.
Regards
Richard
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