The main Types of Ceramics

The variety of arts and its artistic and stylistic trends can capture the most demanding expert. Among the paintings and frescoes an important place in the history of art is occupied by clay products. They are not only aesthetic pleasure, clay has been used in everyday life for a long period of time and greatly simplifies the lives of our ancestors.

Products made of clay or clay materials with or without mineral additives, obtained by molding followed by firing, are called ceramics. To improve its consumer and aesthetic qualities, ceramics are covered with glaze.

Ceramics – is one of the oldest materials used to make dishes and other products. Its history is thousands of years old, and many scientists believe that this material is one of the first created by man with his own hands. Its wide use is determined by strength, heat resistance, environmental and chemical safety and high aesthetic potential.

Types of ceramics: 

  • Terracotta
  • Majolica
  • Faience
  • Stone ceramics
  • Semi-porcelain
  • Porcelain

Terracotta is the oldest type of ceramics, made of red clay and fired at low temperatures. It has a very porous structure, low strength, strongly absorbs water.

Majolica is the successor of terracotta. It is stronger and less porous.

Faience is made of white clay with high kaolin content, which has better strength and less water absorption. The firing temperature of faience is also higher.

Stone ceramics is its high-strength type. The ceramic mass is based on white clay, which is used in the production of porcelain, with the addition of various substances and fireclay powder, which provides additional heat resistance.

Semi-porcelain – is a kind of ceramics, that has white color, and very dense; the finished product is covered with glaze. Semi – porcelain dishes have high strength, chemical and heat resistance, are not afraid of sudden changes in temperature.

Porcelain is ceramics of the highest class and quality, and more expensive. It is so sintered at temperatures up to 1500 ° C that it practically turns into glass. Porcelain is very strong, elegant and expensive. It is made using very specific clay, adding to the mixture finely ground sand and feldspar.

Porcelain is easy to identify by ringing and long sound when tapped. It also transmits light that is not typical of other types of ceramics. Unglazed porcelain products are so dense that they practically do not absorb water, are not porous at all and are very chemically stable.

Porcelain originated in China. Local craftsmen have kept the secret of making this material for a long period of time. Porcelain was invented in Europe in 1708 by the German alchemist Johann Friedrich Böttcher (Böttger).

What is the difference between ceramics and porcelain?

Porcelain is, first of all, a kind of fine ceramics. It can be compared only with other types of ceramics, such as faience or majolica. And unlike them, porcelain practically does not change its appearance over period of time and is perfect for painting.

We invite you to learn even more interesting things about pottery and try your hand at making them at master classes in pottery visiting The «Lihtaryk» art studio

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