Firing Process Ceramics

The purpose of this initial firing is to turn your pottery into ceramic material.

Firing process ceramics. Raise the temperature of the kiln to 850 f 455 c for 12 hours. 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 firing process is measured in cones a standard unit of measurement that accounts for time and temperature. This is particularly important as the presence of air bubbles in the clay will result in explosions in the kiln as the air pockets expand and burst.

The firing process is the key step in the manufacturing of ceramic products because it controls their properties. The melting that occurs is on the molecular level. So you use a process called centering to get it right. Bisque firing is the typical and very important first step in the ceramic finishing process.

Wedging is the process of mixing the clay by hand by rotating and pressing a clay ball on a table. First firmly place the clay as close to the center as you can. 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.

The materials experience irreversible structural changes reaching the proper ceramic structure that is responsible for the final properties of the product. The final aim is to heat the object to the point that the clay and glazes are mature that is that they have reached their optimal level of melting. 7 4 firing conditions used in the manufacture of waste based fired bricks. The next step is to put the piece into the kiln for the first round of firing called a bisque firing.

The clay has to be in the center of the wheel. While centering keep the clay wet and use the rib tool to scrape away excess clay on the wheel. The purpose is to thoroughly homogenize the clay and to remove all air bubbles. Some general points to remember about different types of firing end products.

Next wet the clay and start the wheel. During a bisque firing both physical and chemical water is driven out of the clay and organic residue burns out. Place the pottery in an electric kiln. 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.

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.