CERAMIC MATERIALS

CERAMIC MATERIALS

1. 2.1 GENERAL PROPERTIES

   • Ceramic materials are made from clay, which is very abundant in nature. Once clay dries, it becomes porous and chemically inert, as well as resistant to high temperatures. All of these qualities make ceramic materials not only useful, but also very versatile.

2. 2.2 HOW CERAMICS MATERIALS ARE MADE

   • To create ceramic materials, clay is processed in the following way:
     • 1. Preparation: The clay is cleaned to eliminate plant material, such as roots and leaves
     • 2. Mixing: This vitrification process increases both the resistance and the impermeability of the final product.
     • 3. Shaping: The clay is shaped into its final form.
     • 4. Drying: In factories, this process takes place in heated tunnels, using recirculated air.
     • 5. Firing: This is done in special ovens called kilns at temperatures between 700ºC and 1700ºC, depending on the type of clay that is being used.
     • 6. Decoration: After objects have been fired, they can be decorated and finished with different types of glaze.

3. 2.3 CLASSIFICATION OF CERAMIC MATERIALS

   • Ceramic materials can be classified into two groups by their composition and how they are processed: coarse ceramics, which are water-permeable, and fine ceramics, which are non-permeable and have certain glass-like properties.