Porcelain is a popular ceramic made from a combination of kaolin, clay, quartz and feldspar. This ancient ceramic originates from China and has been appreciated for centuries because it perfectly balances delicacy and durability.
Raw materials are mixed and then formed into different designs to create fantastic products. This ceramic distinguishes itself from other ceramic products by its unique properties such as whiteness, hardness and translucency.
The reason for choosing porcelain over the alternatives is its high density, low porosity and mechanical resistance. It provides a beautiful look to the product combined with a soft touch and durability needed for daily use.
Translucent and fine-grained ceramic products are an excellent addition to your home, as you can use them as cooking utensils or elegantly decorate your home. Several technological processes are used to create these masterpieces, including baking, drying, shaping and proportioning.
It results in a finer sheen, a transparent body and a harder texture that adds durability to porcelain so you can use it regularly. These ceramics are fired at high temperatures to achieve vitreous or vitreous properties such as low porosity and translucency.
Three types of porcelain
Hard paste
This type of ceramic is made of porcelain stone or petuntse, a feldspar rock. This rock is ground to make a powder which is then mixed with kaolin or white kaolin to make the results.
A high temperature is used to vitrify the paste and the shape of the object is preserved while creating an attractive product.
Soft paste
Translucent Chinese porcelain is also known as a soft paste, which is a mixture of crushed glass and clay. This is made with a softer firing compared to the other variety which is distinguished by its softer body. It can be easily trimmed with a file, so you can clean these products without much effort.
bone china
This type of ceramic is made from cow bone, of which 50% consists of bone ash. The most famous bone china brands are Wedgewood, Royal Worcester and Royal Crown Derby.
Process of making porcelain
There are several complex production processes with multiple stages, including molding, firing, glazing and decorating. Raw porcelain clay is made into a mold and the raw ingredients are mixed with water to achieve plasticity.
Skill, patience and workability are used to obtain the right texture and consistency to create the desired products. Jugs, teapots and serving pieces are made using ceramic molds and on the other hand, cups, bowls, plates and mugs are made in steel molds.
The handles of the teapots and mugs are cast separately, after which it is attached to the body with the hands. All imperfections and rough spots are removed by hand to create the most beautiful porcelain products.
Advantages of choosing porcelain
If you are looking for a durable, water-resistant and easy-to-clean ceramic product, choose porcelain. Because it is made from completely natural raw materials, the risks of contamination from fungi or bacterial growth are minimized.
Porcelain tiles can be used for moisture-sensitive and busy areas, so that they are of excellent quality for a long time. The best part about using this product is that it can be reused and recycled without ending up in landfill.
Porcelain manufacturing process
Selection of raw materials – for making porcelain, the desired quality, quantity and type of raw materials are selected to go through a series of steps. Determining the character of the raw material is extremely important as it helps to achieve the desired quality of the final product.
There are many factors to consider before proceeding with this step, including the mineral phase, composition, colloidal surface area, and particle size distribution
Raw material processing
After the selection of the raw material, the desired weight of each material is measured. Then these raw materials are crushed and purified, after which they are mixed to go through one of the forming processes.
The selection of the molding process depends on the type of goods to be produced, so that you get the best results. The various molding processes used include rigid plastic molding, soft plastic molding, molding and pressing
Biscuit baking
The porcelain parts that come after the molding process are then bisque fired. This means that the parts are heated at a relatively low temperature to evaporate volatile contaminants and minimize shrinkage during baking.
Glazing
The glaze is applied to the surface of the wares using a variety of processes including pouring, dipping, spraying or painting. Several types of glaze are produced, including calcia, silica, and alumina, so you can get different types of glaze on different products.
Fire
This process can be done both in the oven and in the oven, and the choice of the process depends on the desired result. The baking cycle should be determined according to the product you want to make, so that it has the desired look and finish.
Different products made of porcelain:
Household items
if you are looking for luxurious tableware and dishes to decorate your home or to serve food on, then you should choose porcelain. These items are easy to reuse and clean, so you can buy porcelain dinnerware and tableware for your home.
The intricate porcelain items are also used in restaurants as they are stiff, strong and very durable for regular use.
Porcelain tiles
Porcelain is used to make tiles for both walls and floors, especially for the kitchen, bathroom and laundry room. These tiles are expensive compared to the other ceramic tiles, but they are more durable and have lower water absorption, making them a popular choice.
Insulators for electronic devices
Since porcelain does not conduct electricity, it is used to make insulators for electronic applications.
Dental products
Porcelain is used for making crowns and caps by dentists as these are lifelike dental restorations. The use of this element in the dental field is very prominent as it is durable and resembles the color of natural teeth.
Decorative items
The grace and elegance of porcelain make it a perfect option to decorate the interior of your home. It’s an aesthetic element that can add exquisite beauty to your home, whether you want a modern or aged look. You can choose any of these collectibles as it is an asset that will be treasured for generations.