The Most Elegant Interior Element; Ceramics
Pottery and ceramics in particular, are well known to all. You can be totally indifferent to such decorations as ceramic vases, pots, vases, figurines and other decorative pieces. However, without porcelain and ceramic tableware, treating is simply impossible. All kinds of plates and cups, jugs and teapots, vases and sugar, salt cellars are the mandatory and desirable items in our kitchens. They have not only utilitarian value, but they also decorate the room, making it warmer and cozier.
Actually in itself ceramics is the clay, which was subjected to roasting. Ceramic tableware today is represented by the following categories: terracotta, faience, majolica, porcelain. Although the basic process of manufacturing ceramic products is the same, but due to some differences we’ve got this diversity of species.
Manufacturing of pottery consists of three stages:
1. Preparation of clay. So, dry clay, containing some additives (kaolin, quartz, feldspar) like dough is mixed with the necessary quantity of water and is brought to a state of uniform mass.
2. From the prepared clay in various ways (by hand, on a potter’s wheel, molding, pressing) different products are formed.
3. Drying of the prepared products.
4. The first or pre-bake (up to 900 ° C) in which products acquire the necessary strength and don’t soak in water.
5. Application of glaze and decoration products.
6. Second firing. During the second firing higher temperature is used (from 950 ° C do1250 ° C), with which glaze covers the product. The temperature of the second firing depends on the type of ceramics.
In addition, some items need a third and fourth firing. Number of firing is determined by the properties of paints used in the process of creating products.