Ceramic Glaze: Process, Classification and Application

Ceramic glaze plays an indispensable role in the ceramics manufacturing process, offering a special aesthetic feeling to ceramics and making it more durable. Jinhua Ceramics has abundant experience in the development and innovation of ceramic glaze, insisting on providing customers with exquisite and practical wholesale daily ceramic products.

This article will introduce the basic concept, function, classification, and production process of ceramic glaze in depth to make you further understand the importance of this process.

What Is Ceramic Glaze?

Ceramic glaze usually refers to the glassy coating on the surface of the ceramic product, which is mostly the mixture of silicates, alkali metals, and metal oxides. Glaze serves chiefly in forming a hard, smooth outer layer after high-temperature firing; not only does it make the ceramic products much more beautiful, but it also acts to protect them from damage. This layer of glaze would prevent the water absorption of ceramics while improving the wear and corrosion resistance.

Function of Ceramic Glaze

The role of ceramic glaze in ceramic products is mainly reflected in the following aspects:

• Aesthetic: Glaze can provide rich color and luster to make ceramic products more appealing. The glaze can be transparent, translucent, or opaque, from glossy to matte, depending on the different design needs.
• Protectiveness: The layer of glaze will protect the ceramic products against moisture, chemicals, and physical wear to give them much better durability.
• Easy to clean: The smooth glaze layer lightens the cleaning burden of ceramic products and diminishes the residue of dirt in daily use.

Common Types of Ceramic Glazes

Glazes can be divided into many types according to their appearance and texture, and each type of glaze brings different decorative effects. The following are several common ceramic glazes:

Transparent Glaze

The characteristic of transparent glaze is that it can show the natural color and texture of the ceramic base, and is usually used to emphasize the decorative design or natural clay color of the ceramic surface.

Opaque Glaze

Opaque glaze completely covers the color of the base, providing uniform color and texture, suitable for making ceramic products with strong visual effects.

Crackle Glaze

Crackle glaze is a natural crack formed after high-temperature firing. This crack does not affect the firmness of the ceramic, but gives the ceramic product a unique and simple beauty.

Matte Glaze

The surface of matte glaze is matte, with a delicate and soft texture, which is very suitable for modern home decoration, creating a low-key and elegant atmosphere.

Kiln-Change Glaze

Kiln-Change Glaze is a glaze that changes naturally in the kiln through high temperature and specific conditions, forming a unique texture and color effect. The unpredictability of this glaze makes each piece unique.

The Process of Making Ceramic Glaze

The process of making glaze requires a high degree of technology and experience. Jinhua Ceramics has advanced technology in glaze-making to ensure that the glaze of each ceramic product meets the highest standards.

Mixture of Raw Materials

The main components of glaze include silicates, alkali metals and metal oxides. By adjusting the proportion of different components, different glaze effects can be achieved.

Application of Glaze

There are many ways to apply glaze to ceramic bodies, including spraying, dipping and brushing. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, depending on the final effect you want to achieve.

Firing Process

After the glaze is applied, it needs to be fired at high temperature. The temperature and time of firing will affect the glaze effect, such as transparency, color depth and surface texture. Temperature changes and atmosphere control in the kiln can make the glaze present unexpected and beautiful changes.

Color and Design of Ceramic Glaze

The colors of ceramic glaze are mainly determined by metal oxides and different oxides produce different colors. For example, iron oxide can take on the color red or brown, copper oxide can take on the color green or blue, and cobalt oxide can realize dark blue. And through mixture and control in a firing process, there can be rich and various expressive effects.

It has also become important in modern design, not only in traditional tableware and decorations but also in architectural ceramics and artistic ceramics, among others. Combining traditional craftsmanship with modern design, Jinhua Ceramics produces a wide variety of ceramic products in different styles and rich textures suitable for various needs in use in different situations.

Environmental Protection and Health: Green Innovation of Ceramic Glaze

Following the improvement of environmental awareness, many ceramic manufacturers are turning to more environmentally friendly glazes, especially lead-free glazes. The traditional glaze may contain hazardous substances like lead, but modern technology makes the performance and color performance of lead-free glaze no less compared to the traditional glaze, even healthier and more environmentally friendly.

Under the guidance of a green manufacturing concept, Jinhua Ceramics has long adopted environmentally friendly raw materials and processes to ensure that our various products are as beautiful as they are safe and healthy enough to meet international health standards.

Conclusion

As a key link in the ceramic process, ceramic glaze not only brings unique visual beauty to ceramic products, but also plays an important role in protecting and enhancing product durability. With decades of experience in ceramic production and advanced glaze technology, Jinhua Ceramics provides customers with high-quality wholesale ceramic baking trays, ceramic tableware, ceramic candle jars, ceramic bathroom sets and other home ceramic products.

We focus on providing ceramic products of various styles, designs and functions for businesses, hotels, restaurants and retailers to meet various business needs. Whether it is classic design or customized style, we are able to provide excellent product selection for your business through flexible production capacity and strict quality control.

If you are looking to purchase high-quality ceramic products in bulk, please contact us to know more about Jinhua Ceramics’ rich product range and professional customization services.