Have you ever wondered how ceramics have a shiny or matte finish coating?

No worries! Yes, I got you covered! I have answered all your questions that you might have faced while learning the glaze basics. 

What is Glaze Compound material?

Glaze Compound material is a mixture of raw materials combined to make a composition. Raw Materials source to make glaze often are in the form of powder. Using various Raw Materials, we get various types of Glaze compound powder. On varying single quantity ratio of raw material can have an impact on the glazed look. Glaze compound is a powder used for ceramic ware by dipping or spraying. After this process, you will need to heat the glaze mixture, which turns into a vitrified stage. This will develop desirable ceramic properties for the surface of the ware. 

Who invented glaze ceramic?

Glaze ceramic material was discovered in 1500 BC in the Middle East and Egypt. The first glaze used on pottery objects had used Ash Glaze (i.e., ashes made of wood and straw) and in China Ground Feldspar.

Why do we glaze ceramics?

Glaze ceramics helps product durability, are inert to chemical reactions. It is the best insulator. This has the application of the coating and improves surface properties.

When to glaze ceramics?

You can use a ceramic glaze compound when your product’s base is made of clay (i.e., a Mixture of minerals) and is then heated. Temperature variation also has an effect on the appearance of glaze. 

Which glaze materials are used in the Compound?

Commonly used Materials in Glaze Compounds:

– LiO2: Spodumene 

– Na2O: Feldspars, NepheIine syenite 

– K2O: Fe1dspars, Muscovite mica 

– CaO: Wollastonite, Calcium carbonate (whiting ), Dolomite 

– MgO: Heavy magnesium oxide Magnesium Carbonate, Dolomite, Talc 

– SrO: Strontium carbonate 

– BaO: Barium carbonate 

– ZnO: Zinc oxide

– PbO: Lead bisilicate 

– Al2O3: Corundum (heavy alumina), Alumina hydrate, FeIdspars, Nepheline syenite, Kaolin clay, Ball clay, Muscovite mica, PyrophylIite 

– SiO2: Quartz sand, Flint Fe1dspars, Nephe1ine syenite, Wollastonite, Kaolin clay, Ball clay, Muscovite mica, Pyrophyllite, Talc, Zircon 

– ZrO2: Zircon 

– TiO2: Anatase 

How is Glaze Compound made?

Glaze Compound is divided into 3 parts:

– Glass formers: This is also known as Silica that needs to be melted on the body. In order to melt, silica alone would have a higher melting temperature. This would increase the product price. Hence we have a second important material as know as Flux. Example: Quartz/Silica

– Fluxes: This material, when mix with silica, helps to reduce the melting temperature. For example, soda ash will melt at 900 degrees C, and silica melts above 1700 degrees C. When mixed together, it gets melted at 1200 Degree C. If too much flux is added, then it will run off from the body. To stop this flow, here comes the role of refractory. 

Refractories: This material, mixed with the other two ingredients, helps stop runoff in the glaze. Common material like alumina is used.

NOTE: When using Feldspar, you can often get all these important parts in it, from Glass Formers to Refractories.

Now you can make your own compound glaze for White Matte Finish Glaze compound by Celia Wiley.

Materials Required to make Smooth White Matte Compound 100 gram:

– K-Feldspar: 44 gm

– Kaolin: 19 gm

– Dolomite: 17 gm

– Zirconium silicate: 14 gm

– Wollastonite: 4 gm

– Tin Oxide: 2.5

Total: 100.5 gm

Technical Specification required as follows: 

K-Feldspar :

• Silica (SiO2) 68.5%

• Alumina (Al2O3) 17.0% (16.5% min)

• Iron (Fe2O3) 0.10% (0.15% max.)

• Soda (Na2O) 3.0%

• Potash (K2O) 10.0% (9.5% min.)

• Lime (CaO) 0.3%

• Magnesium (MgO) trace

Kaolin : 

• Silica (SiO2) 66.21%

• Alumina (Al2O3) 31.0% 

• Soda (Na2O) 0.10%

• Potash (K2O) 0.32% 

• Lime (CaO) 0.3%

• Magnesium (MgO) 0.20%

• Titanium 0.4%

Dolomite: 

• Magnesium (MgO) 50%

• Lime (CaO) 50%

Zirconium silicate : 

• Silica (SiO2) 50%

• Zirconium Oxide (ZrO2) 50%

Wollastonite : 

• Lime (CaO) 50%

• Silica (SiO2) 50%

Tin Oxide: 

• (SnO2) 100%

Steps to Follow:

Step 1: Get all required raw material and weight scale to measure accurate quantity.

Step 2: Mix all the material mentioned above in exact weight

Step 3: That’s it, Folk! You have now prepared your First Glaze Compound Product!

You can now use this powder as a dipping glaze/spray glaze to coat your ceramic ware. 

Bonus Step: You can now apply this glaze to the finished product and bake it at a low temperature of 900 Degree Celsius. At this temperature, cone-10 should bend. 

Where Can I Find Glaze Compound Materials?

You can find material at shop.starkmineral.com/ or you can buy it from a nearby shop.