Introduction to Ceramics

What is Clay?

How much water does clay hold?

• 25%

• 50%

• 70%

• 80%

What does Pliable mean?

How do you prepare clay for use?

• Pound onto a table

• Wedge and Knead like dough

• Stretch and fold

• Roll into a flat slab

What does firing clay mean?

Answer explanation

Firing is the process of bringing clay and glazes up to a high temperature. 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. To the human eye, pots and other clay objects do not look melted; the melting that occurs is on the molecular level. This process is usually accomplished in two steps: bisque firing and glaze firing.

Is a Kiln

• A middle eastern rug

• A type of clay

• A pottery jug

• A type of oven

What is a Bisque firing?

• What happens to clay after glazing

• Clay before it enters the kiln

• The first firing

• A firing that makes the clay waterproof

There are two glaze firings that are most commonly used, Earthenware and Stoneware. At what temperature do we fire Earthenware?

• 400 c

• 700 c

• 1100 c

• 180 c

At what temperature do we fire Stoneware?

• 1100 c

• 340 c

• 1280 c

• 1400 c

A higher fired clay is known as Porcelain, at what temperature do you think this clay is fired?

• 1300 c

• 1350 c

• 1600 c

• 1450 c