Like the shape, the glaze is key to the design of a ceramic piece. Glazes provide protection and resistance to unglazed pottery. By glazing process, the glaze can provide a variety of options for the decoration of the work. In addition, it also defines the different styles of its design.
What is glazes made of?
The glaze is generally quartz, feldspar, clay, and much more as raw materials. By grinding, adding water modulation, and then coating the surface of the body. Then after a certain temperature of firing and melt. When the temperature drops, a thin glassy layer on the surface of the ceramic is formed. There are many kinds of glaze, such as crackle glaze, active glaze, color glaze, matte glaze, pearl glaze, etc.
What is the purpose of ceramic glaze?
The glaze is what allows a ceramic piece to be waterproof. But also to give it a color or a texture. It is in the form of a powder to be mixed with water to allow it to be applied to the ceramic support which is still porous. The glaze gives ceramics better strength and is resistant to dirt, and corrosion, and is easy to clean. These advantages allow the pottery to be used for an unlimited period of time. Some classic porcelain can even become a family heirloom passed down from generation to generation.
Reactive Glaze
Reactive glaze, we also call it kiln glaze or variable glaze. It refers to the unexpected glaze color effect that appears during the firing of the ware. Although the color of the active glaze cannot be precisely controlled, it is possible to intervene in the design of the pattern now based on the commonality of the active glaze stoneware during firing. This allows a certain pattern of reactive glazes appears on the stoneware.
At present, there are not many tableware companies that are good at producing stoneware with a reactive glaze. If you want to buy such reactive glazed mugs, you can find them in Denby in the UK, Becasa Ltd in China, and ASA selection in Germany.
Crackle Glaze
The crackle glaze is also called ice glaze. Usually, this type of stoneware is made with a glaze that has a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the blank. When cooled after firing, the glaze is subjected to tensile stresses that exceed its tolerance limit, resulting in cracks. However, cracking is challenging to produce, making crackle glaze stoneware more expensive. The most crucial feature of crackle glazes is the multi-layered three-dimensional structure of the cracks. The rose petal-like dimension and the variation of glaze color will make you fall in love with it.
Nowadays, this crackle-glazed stoneware tableware is not very common in the market. If you are interested in this type of stoneware tableware, Becasa Ltd is willing to offer the customization service.
Color Glaze
The color glaze is a metal oxide added to the glaze. After a specific temperature and kiln atmosphere, presenting different colors. The color glaze coloring effect is mainly closely related to the glaze composition, particle size, firing temperature, and firing atmosphere. For example, the color of the iron element is cyan, the copper element is red, and the cobalt element is blue. The finished glaze is crystal, pure and elegant, rich in decorative effect. And the glazed porcelain with simple color is also more in line with the modern concept of minimalism.
Matte Color Glaze
The glaze of matte glaze is delicate, moist, and without strong reflection. With an opaque matte surface, giving a soft, quiet, and comfortable visual feeling. On the other hand, its ability to ensure the visual effect of the product. Matte glazed porcelain or stoneware has natural color variations. They are also richer in shape and matching. In addition, this soft tone is also more capable of creating a warm and welcoming, free and comfortable home atmosphere. Generally, the common matte glaze is seen in the Morandi color palette, earth tones.
Crystalline Glaze
A crystalline glaze is a glaze in which apparently coarse crystals appear within the glaze. It is a highly decorative art glaze, derived from ancient Chinese color glazes. The fundamental feature that distinguishes crystalline glazes from crackle glazes is the presence of a certain number of visible crystals in the glaze. Usually, we can see this craft on vases or teacups.
Pearlescent Glaze
Pearlescent Glaze stoneware is actually a transparent glaze that is brushed on top of the already fired pottery. This transparent glaze will reveal colorful colors depending on different angles. Like a pearl bathed in sunlight. However, this pearlescent glaze stoneware can not be put into the dishwasher, oven, or microwave.
Becasa Ltd has been a professional ceramic dinnerware manufacturer for over 20 years. We are happy to offer you with kinds of ceramic products with different glazes. If you need more information, welcome to click here and contact us!
