Ceramic Glaze Terminology

Underglaze decoration applied to biscuit pottery and covered with a glaze.

Ceramic glaze terminology.

Pertaining to the hard finish of a fired glaze or the nonabsorbency of a fired body. Ceramic glaze is an impervious layer or coating of a vitreous substance which has been fused to a ceramic body through firing. Glaze is also used on stoneware and porcelain. Throwing creating ceramic shapes on the potter s wheel.

Defined by the pottery health regulations as a glaze which does not release more than 5 of its dry weight of soluble lead when subjected to a specified test using hydrochloric acid. Glaze can serve to color decorate or waterproof an item. Stoneware all ceramic wear fired between 2 100 and 2 300 degrees. The many types and textures of glazes that mayco offers are almost endless from bright shiny reds to soft pastels metallic gold to satiny rich black.

Throwing the term used when referring to forming or shaping on a potter s wheel. It was developed by the chinese over 1000 years ago. Plasticity a workable property of clay that enables it to take and hold any impression. Learn the meanings to hundreds of common pottery glaze and craft terms.

When purchasing ceramic pieces it is important to consider the type of glaze in terms of food safety durability and fit with the underlying claybody. An iridescent optical appearance due to light reflections producing diffraction patterns on a glazed surface. Glazing renders earthenware vessels suitable for holding liquids sealing the inherent porosity of unglazed biscuit earthenware. Overglaze a glaze applied on top of another glaze.

See also claybody glaze fit high temp glaze intermediate glaze low temp glaze. Often times it is a clear glossy glaze applied over a matte glaze to make it glossy. It also gives a tougher surface. Without the fired surfaces the ware would not be able to hold water or be safe for food.

Porcelain a pottery ware that when fired is pure white. Long tapered knife useful for trimming cast or pressed pieces and for separating mold components. Widely used and misused term referring to any earthenware pottery glazed with an opaque glaze usually white and overglaze decoration. Glazes are the protective coatings that make ceramics safe and useful.

Wedging a method of kneading clay to make it homogenous by cutting and rolling. Or low sol glaze. Transparent glaze transmits light clearly.