Ceramic Clay Ingredients

Learn more about the properties of clay and different types of clay here.

Ceramic clay ingredients.

Most clays contain several different types of clay minerals with different amounts of metal oxides and organic matter. Ingredients like nylon or sand can be added to the clay to aid plasticity or to lower or raise the clay body s firing temperature which also affects the color. Clays and inelastic earth are the results of decomposing rocks in which the particle size is extremely small. When making your own glazes products like quartz flint and pure silica can be added as the glass former.

Mix these ingredients and heat over a low heat just until the clay begins thicken and become lumpy. Silica or industrial sand is the key ingredient in glass raw clay and ceramic glazes. Modelling clay can be made from a number of ingredients see wikipedia but at home it is usually made from flour and water. And because you don t want a 20 pound ashtray you can add materials like sawdust or coffee grounds to help reduce the weight of the finished piece.

Low fire clays we manufacture low fire ap labeled ceramic clays in a variety of formulas for classroom and studio use. 3300o f 1800o c is used mainly in wall and floor tile clay bodies. Slowly by hand add 3 cups white glue 1 tablespoon white vinegar 2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon glycerin. Find an appropriate clay body recipe for the type of clay you want to make and gather the ingredients.

Petalite li2olal2o3l8sio2 m p. This is what sets the different types of pottery clay apart. Produce a second variety of clay called cold porcelain clay by putting 3 cups cornstarch into a medium saucepan. You want to mix this over low heat and then get it to the point where the clay is thick and lumpy.

Clay body recipes can be found at several retailers and are generally broken down by clay type color surface quality and firing type such as low fire mid range or high fire clay recipes see link in resources. It can also be used to produce ovenware bodies control shrinkage and firing cracks but should be kept under 15 of the body weight due to its non plastic. Take 3 cups of cornstarch into the saucepan and then from there add in about 3 cups of white glue a tablespoon of white vinegar and then 2 tablespoons of vegetable or canola oil and then 1 tablespoon of glycerin. Thus feldspars and feldspathic rocks with their complex chemical structure of silica alumina and melter oxides of sodium potassium and calcium possess the unique ability to form an almost acceptable glaze surface at stoneware firing temperatures.

Pyrophyllite al2o3l4sio2lh2o m p. Please read the details for each amaco clay to determine which is most suitable for sculpture wheel throwing or multi purpose. Mix powdered feldspar with water apply this mixture to a clay form fire it to stoneware temperatures and there will appear a glossy white surface on the clay.