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Glaze is used on earthenware pottery to waterproof it and on porcelain and stoneware pottery to decorate it. It is also used on construction materials such as bricks and tiles. Glaze can be applied as a dry mixture dusted on the surface of the clay object or by introducing soda or salt in high-temperature kilns to create sodium vapor, which interacts with the silica and aluminum oxide in the amaco clay to deposit a glass coating on the object. However, the most common type of glazes are liquid glazes, which are suspensions of metal oxides and powdered minerals. They are applied by pouring the glaze over the object, dipping the objects into the glaze, spraying the object with an airbrush, or painting the glaze on the object. Often, all or part of the bottom of an object is left unglazed or placed on stilts or kiln spurs to prevent the object from sticking to the kiln.
Glazes can range from complete transparency to complete opacity. Opaque glazes are caused by tiny air bubbles or particles in the glaze suspension; some glazes that appear white are actually opaque rather than containing a white pigment. Decorations applied to the clay beneath the glaze are called underglaze, which can be applied to either raw, unfired or bisque-fired (already fired) pottery. Transparent wet glaze is applied over the underglaze, and the pigments in the underglaze fuse with the glaze. The famous blue and white clay pottery art of Holland, England, Japan, and China is an example of the underglaze technique. The characteristic blue color comes from the cobalt oxide or carbonate in the glaze formulation. When decorations are applied over a layer of glaze, they are called overglaze.
Overglazes are fired at low temperatures and yield a glassy appearance. The color of the glaze is affected not only by its chemical composition but also by the atmosphere in the firing kiln. A kiln with a high amount of oxygen produces an oxidation firing, while a kiln low in oxygen produces a reduction firing. An oxidation firing of copper carbonate glaze results in a turquoise color, while a reduction firing of the same glaze produces a bright red.
Selecting the right glaze is a science in itself. Factors to consider include the firing range, the formulation, and the intended use of the object (for example, dinnerware items require non-toxic glazes). The firing range is determined by the type of clay being used. Mid-range stoneware clays require mid-range glazes, and low-fire earthenware clays require low-fire glazes. While some professional ceramicists formulate their own glazes to achieve specific effects, beginners are advised to use commercial formulations like amaco glaze, whose properties are well-known and tested. Commercial dealers can provide test tiles that indicate characteristics such as surface consistency, color, transparency, and food safety.
Manuel Marino is a seasoned Senior Producer, Music Composer, and Artist with over a decade of experience. He specializes in branded entertainment across various mediums, including video games, films, and advertising campaigns. With 20+ years as a game music composer, Manuel has worked on numerous platforms, creating diverse orchestral soundtracks. HIRE ME
