Spectroscopical and Thermal Analysis of Different Types of Clays
Faculty Mentor(s) Name(s)
Peter Rosado-Flores
Abstract
Ceramics have been around for thousands of years and have often been the pinnacle of civilization. Particularly of interest are clays and glazes. These are ceramic materials that when fired undergo irreversible changes to their molecular composition and structures, and thus to their properties. There are, in general, 3 types of clay; earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain in order from least pure to most pure. Clay comes from kaolinite deposits in the earth, called primary clay. This primary clay can also travel downstream, collecting impurities and other minerals along the way and thus becoming secondary clay. Porcelain is a primary clay, consisting of mostly just kaolinite but can also contain other minerals like feldspar and mica. Stoneware clay is a form of secondary clay found further downstream from the original source and contains more impurities. Impurities make clay less strong, but more plastic and malleable to handle when wet. Earthenware clay is found even further and countians the most impurities such as iron which give it a characteristic red color. Redart clay is a type of earthenware clay, and fires at a lower temperature because it has impurities such as iron in it. Impurities in the clay also reduce its firing temperature, so porcelain has the highest firing temperature while earthenware has the lowest. Ceramic glazes give clay a glossy sheen, as well as making the clay non-porous and food safe. The primary ingredient of glazes is SiO2, which is a “glass former” and gives glazes their sealing properties and glass-like finish. Glazes also contain other minerals such as alumina. The purpose of this experiment was to determine the composition of Redart clay and various components of glaze before firing through FT-IR spectroscopy. Preliminary results on TGA analysis will also be presented.
Start Date
27-3-2024 10:00 AM
End Date
27-3-2024 10:50 AM
Location
Magnolia Ballroom
Spectroscopical and Thermal Analysis of Different Types of Clays
Magnolia Ballroom
Ceramics have been around for thousands of years and have often been the pinnacle of civilization. Particularly of interest are clays and glazes. These are ceramic materials that when fired undergo irreversible changes to their molecular composition and structures, and thus to their properties. There are, in general, 3 types of clay; earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain in order from least pure to most pure. Clay comes from kaolinite deposits in the earth, called primary clay. This primary clay can also travel downstream, collecting impurities and other minerals along the way and thus becoming secondary clay. Porcelain is a primary clay, consisting of mostly just kaolinite but can also contain other minerals like feldspar and mica. Stoneware clay is a form of secondary clay found further downstream from the original source and contains more impurities. Impurities make clay less strong, but more plastic and malleable to handle when wet. Earthenware clay is found even further and countians the most impurities such as iron which give it a characteristic red color. Redart clay is a type of earthenware clay, and fires at a lower temperature because it has impurities such as iron in it. Impurities in the clay also reduce its firing temperature, so porcelain has the highest firing temperature while earthenware has the lowest. Ceramic glazes give clay a glossy sheen, as well as making the clay non-porous and food safe. The primary ingredient of glazes is SiO2, which is a “glass former” and gives glazes their sealing properties and glass-like finish. Glazes also contain other minerals such as alumina. The purpose of this experiment was to determine the composition of Redart clay and various components of glaze before firing through FT-IR spectroscopy. Preliminary results on TGA analysis will also be presented.