From Clay to Porcelain
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Porcelain dolls, banks, tea cups are an example of how porcelain can be delicate and pretty.
These items can be glazed and then hand painted or decorated to make them a unique item.
On the other hand, dental crowns are an example of how porcelain can be strong and functional.
Porcelain is a rather interesting material that gives you something to think about. It has a diverse nature and the ability to be shaped into a range of products.
The natural beauty of porcelain makes this a product that you are sure to see in many places.
The Definition of Porcelain
Understanding how porcelain is made starts with understanding a bit more about what porcelain is.
Porcelain is often compared to china, which is a similar product. China is a harder version of regular porcelain. China is also only used for domestic or artistic purposes.
Porcelain, on the other hand, has many different uses. It is a very diverse material.Porcelain tea cups are a popular use, but it can also be used in the medical field.
The History of Porcelain
The origination of porcelain was in China around 618-907 A.D. This type of early porcelain is referred to as hard paste or true porcelain.
The porcelain that we have today, used for finer porcelain products, was developed in 1279-1368 A.D. also in China.
In Europe, artificial porcelain was made by combing clay and glass. This resembled the real porcelain of China in appearance.
In the eighteenth century, the English improved upon the European porcelain, introducing bone china.
This china was made from ash of bones, clay, feldspar and quartz.
It is baked at lower temperatures than true porcelain, but it still comes out looking like porcelain and actually is much more durable.
The Making of Porcelain
The porcelain we use today is mainly made with a clay base material.
Ingredients are ground down into uniform sizes and then water is added to make a slurry type mix.
This slurry is then molded into the desired shapes. After this it is fired. Porcelain is baked at a temperature of 2,650 degrees Fahrenheit. The heat fuses together the ingredients.
The porcelain is then slowly cooled so that it is set and hardened.
Porcelain can be glazed or unglazed. It usually has a glass like quality and is white or off white in color.
The actual term porcelain refers to ceramic products that are baked at a high temperature so that it is vitreous, translucence and has low porosity.
It starts with blending of ingredients. The main ingredient used is clay. The high baking temperatures allow the porcelain to achieve the glass like look.
Once complete the porcelain is somewhat translucent, nonporous and hard.
It can be used for everything from dental crowns to those pretty porcelain tea cups.
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