Fine earthenware

Porous clay ceramic products can absorb more than 2% of their weight of water. This group of products includes colored earthenware (pottery) and the, generally white, fine earthenware (see Table 5.5-2). Due to its liquid and gas permeability, fine earthenware can be utilized in the manufacture of ceramic filters and diaphragms. Glazing renders it impermeable and suitable for the manufacture of household utensils, sanitary ware, wall panels and tiles (majolica, faience). 

Feldspathic earthenware (hard earthenware) or calcareous whiteware (soft earthenware) are produced depending upon the flux used. 

Fine earthenware articles are porous and white or ivory in color 

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Fine earthenware (whiteware) table and kitchen articles... 

Fine Earthenware.—The English manufacture may be selected as the type of this ware it is composed essentially of a mixture of plastic clay and quartz, and is, therefore, more refractory, harder, and denser than the delft ware, the chief ingredients of which are potters clay and marl, and which is in consequence soft and calcareous. Fine earthenware again is always coated with a transparent glaze the commoner sorts with enamel, producing the favorite Majolica ware. Neither kinds, however, are fitted for oulinary use, as they either split when exposed to heat, or the glaze becomes cracked and crazed. 

Tho crude materials used in England in the manufacture of fine earthenware, are Cornish stone and China clay, a kind of kaolin brought from Cornwall, two varieties of plastic clay, both of which burn white, and chalk-flints. That class called ironstone china is made from ft mixture of plastic clay, kaolin, Comish stone in excess, and silica, Hie formula of which is subjoined —... 

Firing.—The temperature at which fine earthenware is baked being much higher than that required for the glaze, renders it necessary that vessels composed of tiffs substance should he fired twice. At the first firing... 

It being generally the custom, in the manufacture of fine earthenware, to prepare several kinds of goods... 

Of kts a. manufacture has been introduced of a flowing blue and other colors, giving a softness to tho coloring upon fine earthenware, which has been much esteemed. Tliis is produced by what is termed a flow, introduced into the seggar or fire-ease a few of the fle ws are hero given —... 

Decoration. —The ornamentation of fine earthenware by the hand and brush is practised only for the production of a certain class of designs, such as flowers, leaves, garlands, dots, et cetera, and executed by artistes expressly trained for Ihat purpose, and each excelling in a particular branch of omamentstion, such as flowers, foliage, scrolls, and the like. 

Ju die preparation of the several tints need in die higher decorations of porcelain and fine earthenware, groat care is required to regulate the exact degree of heat to which the biscuit is raised, with a view to the development of the required tints in the several firings through which the wares pass. The following is the mode of preparation of the various colors and their compounds —... 

Amongst tho varieties of fine earthenware may bo classed the peculiar manufacture of day pipes. The clay used in the construction of these requires extreme plasticity, together with a certain amount of porosity upon firing. The plastic clay found in the foyers forming the basis of the clay deposit, is used without the addition of a flux, but to insure tho perfect uniformity and pliability of the mass, great care is taken with the kneading and slapping processes. 

The city, by contrast, appeared bright and clear. The gorgeous rays reflected from its smooth glass-like walls and discovered the laudable symmetry and noble design of all the buildings and their pleasant allocation. Set before each window stood a fine earthenware vase filled with blossoms of snow and ice which glittered enchantingly. 

Finely divided iron- and clay-free quartz is needed as a lean clay in porcelain, fine earthenware or stoneware pastes. This is obtained by grinding pure quartz sand or quartz gangue (quartz powder). 

Industrial applications. Filler for paper and board, coating clays, ceramics, bone china, hard porcelain, fine earthenware, porous wall tiles, electrical porcelain, semivitreous china, glazes, porcelain, enamels, filler for plastics, rubbers and paints, cosmetics, insecticides, dusting and medicine, textiles, and white cement. 

Pale Glass. Glass of a pale green colour. Palissy Ware. Fine earthenware with a brightly coloured tin glaze. 

Hard-paste porcelains are obtained from mixtures made up almost exclusively of kaolin, quartz and feldspars. A little chalk (= 2% of the mass) can be added to favor the formation of the viscous liquid. This mixture is very similar to the one used to prepare fine earthenware. It differs from it only because of the almost exclusive use of kaolin as clay and the proportions of the various components. 

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