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Clays are created when microscopic particles of rock are broken down. Most clays have a variety of clay minerals that contain different amounts of metal oxides and organic matter, which makes pottery clay different. Learn more about clay’s properties here to see if you can have some home décor pottery vases for your plants.
Moreover, clay is an exception to find sand, inelastic earth, and fine sand. This is because clay can, when appropriately wetted with water, form a cohesive mixture and retain its shape when it’s molded. This quality is called clay’s plasticity. When heated to a high temperature, clay partially melts. The result is the hardened, rock-like ceramic material.
Clay can be divided into many classes depending on its characteristics.
Earthenware Clays
One of the oldest clays used by potters was earthenware clays. This clay is still the most popular. These clays have high plasticity and are very easy to work with.
One of the primary benefits of Earthenware Clay is its ease of decorating. Unlike other types of clay, earthenware is not porous. This means that glazes and enamels can be applied easily, making this clay type an excellent choice for beginners. It also takes less time to dry than other types of clay, making it ideal for beginners. If you’re new to pottery, you might want to start with a different type of clay to practice your skills.
The best way to clean earthenware is to avoid using detergent or hot water. Soap will soak into the clay, which can contaminate the food served on it. Instead, you can use a simple brush and hot water. You can also use baking soda to make a paste and scrub away dirt. Be sure not to leave the Earthenware in water for a long period of time. Otherwise, it may become brittle, and the clay may break.
The main drawback of earthenware is that it is not as durable as porcelain or stoneware. The firing temperature of earthenware clays is around 1,830°F. The heat needed to harden it makes it ideal for oven steamers and planters, but not for vases. In contrast, the fire required for porcelain creates an extremely strong pot. The low-porosity of earthenware clays makes it a great choice for vases, planters, and other similar pieces of pottery.
There are four primary colors that moist earthenware pottery clays can be used: red, yellow, light gray, and orange. Many stains can be used to make fired earthenware. These include browns, oranges, buffs, medium greys, white and red. The firing method and the number of minerals used in the fire determine the colors. Terracotta – which translates to “baked clay” – is one the most popular types in earthenware.
Stoneware Clays
Stoneware clays are made of plastic and can often be grey when wet. The fired colors can range from light grey, buff, medium grey, and brown. Fired colors can be significantly affected by the type and method of firing.
Mid-fire clay bodies of stoneware clay are designed to reach maturity at 2150 F or 2260 F (1160 C, 1225 C). High-fire stoneware pottery clay bodies can fire to their mature hardness in between 2200 F. 2336 F (1200 C. and 1300 C).
Earthenware and stoneware clays are similar in the way they are fired, but they differ slightly in their physical properties and the way they are glazed. Earthenwares have a chalky, white appearance when fired, while stonewares are darker, textured and opaque. If you find parts of your pots and pans that are not glazed, you’ve probably made a piece made of stoneware.
Both natural and synthetic clays can be used for making teaware. High-fire clays fire to cone 02, and low-fire clays fire to a light cream. High-fire stoneware clays are the best choice for modeling, throwing, pressing, and slip-painting. For baking, use a kitchen oven at a moderate temperature to avoid causing the clay to shrink too much. Some natural clays are not suitable for making ceramics because of the talc content, and they should be avoided by babies and young children.
When firing clays, you need to use the correct temperature. In the case of stoneware clay, a higher temperature results in a more durable, water-proof jar or pot. In contrast, porcelain clay is more expensive than stoneware clay and has a higher melting point. Regardless of what type you use, you can be sure that it will stand up to extreme temperatures. You can also make unique shapes and designs with this clay.
Ball Clay
Ball clays possess a high level of plasticity and very few mineral impurities. They heat to their mature toughness at 2336 F (1330 C). They look dark grey in moist, but they lighten when they’re fired.
After you’ve mastered the basics, you can start to understand the differences between the clay types. You will determine which clay type is best for you and your way of working.
If you are looking for pottery places “near me,” Buy Pots Now has high-end architectural clay pottery available for use in your garden, backyard, pool, or office.
For more information, visit www.buypotsnow.com and call 321.512.9400.
