... as decoration
In most cases, ceramic is used as decoration for the production of vases, tableware and figurines. Properly processed, it is waterproof and very durable. The greatest attraction is the glazes and colors. Ceramics can therefore be designed as desired and can be used for any occasion or season. Thanks to its enormous durability, ceramic decorations can also be used outdoors.
... in history
The oldest ceramic object found to date is the "Venus of Dolní Věstonice". It was found in the south of the Czech Republic and is estimated to be 30,000 years old. Around this time, it was made from loess clay. It is assumed that different cultures discovered working with ceramics separately. In Japan, for example, pottery dating back 15,000 years has been found. In Africa and Europe, finds date back around 10,000 years.
However, almost all cultures probably had the same thing in mind: the safe storage of supplies in sedentary settlements and the cooking of food. The first experiments with a potter's wheel were carried out around 6000 BC. They were mainly used to make cooking pots and other vessels. They quickly reached a high level of precision. The Greeks mainly used ceramic vases to document events and to decorate their homes. Porcelain was also used for artistic purposes. Invented around the birth of Christ, it quickly became a precious material which, around the 8th century, became the Chinese porcelain we know today.
However, almost all cultures probably had the same thing in mind: the safe storage of supplies in sedentary settlements and the cooking of food. The first experiments with a potter's wheel were carried out around 6000 BC. They were mainly used to make cooking pots and other vessels. They quickly reached a high level of precision. The Greeks mainly used ceramic vases to document events and to decorate their homes. Porcelain was also used for artistic purposes. Invented around the birth of Christ, it quickly became a precious material which, around the 8th century, became the Chinese porcelain we know today.
... in production
Different substances are added depending on the ceramic. These are mixed together and then further mixed and ground in a drum. To make the powder malleable, water is added for so-called "slurrying", which is almost completely filtered out again and pressed in the next step. The result is then crushed again and ground once more. For a good ceramic, the mixture must be as homogeneous as possible. The mixture can then be processed directly or stored. Ceramics can be shaped in a variety of ways. In the traditional way, such as with potter's wheels or modeling. But also using more modern techniques such as extrusion or injection molding. After molding, the blank is first dried to remove any water residue from the material. This usually takes place in specially air-conditioned rooms and is deliberately delayed in order to avoid cracking. The firing process can then be initiated. Ceramic products are also called cullet during production. This is initially heated slowly to a temperature of 950 °C. This first firing is also called biscuit firing and a porous body remains. A glaze can now be applied. Once the glaze has been applied, a second firing can take place to sinter the body. This is heated to up to 1400 °C. The molecules bond anew and the ceramic becomes almost impermeable to water.
... with glaze
Most ceramics are coated with a glaze after biscuit firing. This gives the material many advantages. On the one hand, it makes the object almost waterproof and can therefore also be used as a vase without losing water. In addition, a glaze also makes cleaning much easier and makes plates, for example, more scratch-resistant. However, glazes are mainly used to decorate vases, art objects or other items. Depending on the desired result, the glaze can have different surfaces, so in addition to a typical glossy glaze, a matt glaze can also be applied to the ceramic.
The glaze is made from glass with water and must be applied after the first firing of the ceramic. The ceramic body must still be porous to ensure correct absorption of the water compound. The second firing process must then be initiated. Here, the ceramic is fired tightly and the glaze is melted into the body.
The glaze is made from glass with water and must be applied after the first firing of the ceramic. The ceramic body must still be porous to ensure correct absorption of the water compound. The second firing process must then be initiated. Here, the ceramic is fired tightly and the glaze is melted into the body.
... in the application
Ceramics are very versatile materials. By adding a wide variety of substances to the manufacturing process, very different results can be achieved. Exactly what it is made of later depends on the application. We probably encounter it most often in the toilet. Washbasins, bathtubs and toilet bowls are made of ceramic. It is very hard-wearing and corrosion-resistant. But it is also widely used in the kitchen. A large proportion of commercially available crockery is also made of ceramic. Its high heat resistance makes it ideal for cleaning processes involving high temperatures. However, heat resistance is not only useful in the kitchen. Ceramic is also a very important material in space travel. Space shuttles are equipped with ceramic tiles in order to withstand the extreme temperatures when entering the earth's atmosphere. In addition, it hardly expands under heat. The space shuttle therefore does not lose its aerodynamics. However, the most important aspect of ceramics is their extreme hardness and wear resistance. Ceramics are therefore often used as bones or dental prostheses. A nice side effect: living tissue is very compatible with ceramics. In fact, ceramics are also frequently used in the electrical industry, as they have a very high level of insulation and can be used as a high-voltage insulator.