Ceramic glazes are vitreous substances that are used in the form of an impervious layer or a coating to decorate earthen utensils. They also help make earthen vessels waterproof, sealing the inherent porosity of earthen baked vessels, making them incredibly popular in the pottery industry. With the development of ceramic glazes, they have become one of the most important parts of creating pottery items. In this article, we will talk about the latest ceramic glaze trends that you should definitely know about. Let’s begin:
Before we discuss the trends in ceramic glazes, let us understand them through a simple classification:
Low Fire Glazes
Low fire glazes are used to create vivid color earthen vessels, and it uses the temperature range of 998 degrees Celsius to 1063 degrees Celsius. Sum of the most amazing colorful designs with high glows are made using it, and they are in high demand due to the superb finish delivered. Some of the most common items produced using low-fire glazes are cups, glasses, saucers, dishes, bowls, and spoons, apart from other cutlery items.
Also, it is popular among buyers of products like earthing water bottles and food containers as it adds to the aesthetic appeal. Grocery tins are becoming increasingly the popular due to current fashion trends, and their demand is expected to
Medium Fire Glazes
The mid-range glaze is primarily used on stoneware clay, the most abundantly used type of mid-fire clay. It is also used on porcelain, and the operating temperatures range between 1186 degrees Celsius and 1239 degrees Celsius. It is used for earthen vessels that resemble earthen colors to a certain extent and yet blend into the colorful patterns. While they are not as outlandish in aesthetics as low glazes, they are better in terms of durability.
High Fire Glazes
As the name indicates, the operating temperature for kilns is the highest of all, from 1249 degrees Celsius to 1285 degrees Celsius in the case of high fire glazes. Also, the color gets even more tell as we move from mid-fire glazes to high-fired glazes. With modern technology coming into the picture, the hi-fire glaciers are also performing better in terms of coloring.
It is necessary that you say the temperatures are right as underfiring or overfiring a glaze may lead to quality defects as well as create problems like pinholes. However, a substantial number of kiln owners overfire the glazes in order to develop crystals on the surface of the earthen items they are producing.
Some of the recent trends also involve using new pigment types like chrome-tin, and chrome-zinc-iron, while researchers also continue to learn about iron oxide and its role in the process. The particle size is another factor that has gathered consideration since it has a huge impact on the frit. Some of the important research areas when it comes to developing new designs against the evaluation of factors like under glazing, overglazing, and engobes.
The demand for further research in the ceramic industry is also propelled by the fact that glazed pottery and other ceramic items are in high demand outside the United States as well. Also, the advent of environmental conservationism also added to the use of pottery items as they provide a sustainable alternative to plastic-based vessels.
They have been used historically in almost every region, and thus, there are a lot of varieties when it comes to the production process and aesthetics. Given the fact that pottery is also a collectible art item, further research is also expected to aid in the process of developing better designs, resistance to abrasion, and reducing the energy consumption in the process. The increase in quality of the earthen vessels and their durability is another aspect that will be addressed through additives and other advancements.
Wrap Up
Despite being around for hundreds of years in different forms, there is a lot to be learnt about ceramic glazes. One of the major drivers of research in this area is the fact that it can give a long-lasting color finish to earthen vessels and make them more durable at the same time, on top of supporting environmental sustainability. We have covered a few trends that are likely to impact the ceramic glaze application in pottery and other industries, but it is noteworthy that despite these trends, it is likely that increasing energy costs may require a higher degree of innovation to keep ceramic glazes cost-effective in the long term.
Author Bio –
Amy Witt is a content strategist. She specializes in diverse niches like healthcare, law, travel, and lifestyle. Her writeups feature in industry-leading publications.
