10 Questions
What is the process called when glass forms within the clay body during heating in the kiln?
vitrification
What happens to the clay particles as the liquid glass forms and moves within the clay body?
They get smaller and the spaces between them are filled up.
What is the result of firing clay at a lower temperature in terms of vitrification and porosity?
It may only be partially vitrified and may be semi-porous.
What happens if a piece of clay reaches the point of maximum shrinkage and the kiln temperature continues to increase?
It starts to bloat up and increase in size again.
What happens to the hardness and strength of clay when it starts to bloat after reaching the point of maximum shrinkage?
It begins to lose some of the hardness and strength that it gained as it shrunk.
Why does clay shrink when fired?
Clay shrinks when fired due to water loss and chemical/physical changes that leave it denser.
What are the two main reasons for the shrinkage of clay when fired?
The two main reasons for the shrinkage of clay when fired are water loss and chemical/physical changes.
What is the process of clay losing volume when it is fired called?
The process of clay losing volume when it is fired is called 'fired shrinkage' or 'firing shrinkage'.
How much water does clay contain on average and what percentage of weight can it lose after firing?
On average, clay contains 20% water and can lose almost 30% of its original weight after firing.
What are the two types of water present in clay and what happens to them during firing?
The two types of water in clay are residual moisture and chemically bonded water. During firing, residual moisture evaporates and chemically bonded water is driven out of the clay.
Learn about the reasons why clay shrinks when fired, including the loss of water and chemical and physical changes that leave it denser. If you are new to pottery and curious about the science behind firing clay, this quiz will provide you with the insights you need.
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