WorksheetsThe Science of Ceramics
Total questions: 13
Worksheet time: 8mins
Which of the following is NOT a property of ceramic material
Inorganic
Non-metalic
Hardened by heating to high temperatures
Plasticity after firing
Check all of the properties that make Clay different from Dirt
Plasticity
Derived from eroded rock
Porosity
Ability to Vitrify
Clay is made from feldspar, an abundant rock in the earth's crust. Which of the following is true about feldspar?
It is an aluminosilicate, and each particle looks something like: X(AL,SI)4O8 , where X represents an ion
Feldspar is organic material, made of things like decayed plants
Feldspar is a mostly metallic material
Where did people in earlier times and civilizations find clay?
At ceramic stores such as Manassas Clay
At the tops of the mountains
In riverbeds
Farm compost
When we say that clay is plastic, what does that mean?
It is plastic in the same way that disposable forks and knives are plastic
It is pliable and it can hold a shape
It is hard and it can hold its own shape
It is pliable but cannot hold its own shape
On a temperature scale, what is the spontaneous combustion of paper closest to? (The temperature where paper will simply ignite, even without flames present)
Living systems temperature range
The temperature at which aluminum melts
The temperature at which clay vitrifies
Why is it important to pre-heat the kiln? (180F)
To make it warm before putting the pottery in, sort of like pre-heating an oven before making cookies
This allows atmospheric water to evaporate, preventing explosions when water boils and turns to steam
To burn off organic materials such as carbon and sulfur
To sinter the clay by fusing particles together
In what temperature range do organic materials, such as carbon and sulfur burn off?
180-212F
572-1470F
2000-2200F
3600F
True or False: Chemically bonded water can escape from the clay even after passing the boiling point (212F)
True
False
In this stage of firing, clay is transformed into ceramic material (no longer clay). It is still porous, but can no longer be dissolved in water
Quartz Inversion
Sintering
Vitrification
Maturity
In this stage of firing, the quartz and silicon crystals rearrange, causing a slight expansion of the clay
Atmospheric Drying
Quartz Inversion
Sintering
Vitrification
This is the point at which clay/ceramic material reaches its maximum hardness and durability without losing its shape
Vitrification/maturity
Quartz Inversion
Sintering
572-1470F
What is grog?
dirt found in a river bed
Clay that has already been fired to vitrification. Added to new clay to prevent shrinkage
A character on Sesame Street
An organic, plant-based material added to protein shakes
