Firing Process Ceramics

To the human eye pots and other clay objects do not look melted.

Firing process ceramics.

Next wet the clay and start the wheel. The melting that occurs is on the molecular level. Some general points to remember about different types of firing end products. Raise the temperature of the kiln to 850 f 455 c for 12 hours.

This will produce bisque or unglazed pottery this initial firing removes the physical and chemical water so that the piece can be glazed without returning to mud and breaking. Wedging is the process of mixing the clay by hand by rotating and pressing a clay ball on a table. Firing clay is necessary to create durable wares and the more you know about the ceramic firing process the more control and success you will have with your pots. Firing is the process of bringing clay and glazes up to a high temperature.

7 4 firing conditions used in the manufacture of waste based fired bricks. The firing process is measured in cones a standard unit of measurement that accounts for time and temperature. The firing process is the key step in the manufacturing of ceramic products because it controls their properties. First firmly place the clay as close to the center as you can.

So you use a process called centering to get it right. Firing also known as sintering or densification the ceramics pass through a controlled heat process where the oxides are consolidated into a dense cohesive body made up of uniform grain. Place the pottery in an electric kiln. That s why we decided to post this excerpt from linda bloomfield s book science for potters as a handy guide to just what happens inside the kiln when firing pottery.

While firing may not be the most visually exciting part of the ceramic making process it is the most critical part as it ensures the creative energy put forth in all previous stages will be properly preserved in a durable functional end product. The purpose is to thoroughly homogenize the clay and to remove all air bubbles. The purpose of this initial firing is to turn your pottery into ceramic material. The materials experience irreversible structural changes reaching the proper ceramic structure that is responsible for the final properties of the product.

While centering keep the clay wet and use the rib tool to scrape away excess clay on the wheel. The next step is to put the piece into the kiln for the first round of firing called a bisque firing. Bisque firing is the typical and very important first step in the ceramic finishing process. During a bisque firing both physical and chemical water is driven out of the clay and organic residue burns out.

The clay has to be in the center of the wheel.