Glaze is a glass layer or coating that is fused to a clay piece during firing. The Glaze layer is applied to the pottery at room temperature & then fired.
Glazes are composed of materials called oxides, which are categorized as either glass formers, primarily silica in melting, stabilizers, containing alumina & Fluxes which assist in melting. These can be combined in a variety of proportions to which colorants & Opacifiers are added and these combinations create the infinite variety of glazes that we use in pottery.
Melting Point is the temperature at which solid material becomes liquid.
Mesh size is another factor that affects how a particle melts. Small Particle melt quicker than large ones.
Volatilization point is the temperature that a liquid turns to gas.
Solubility is the ability of a material to go into solution in water at a certain temperature.
Thermal Expansion and Contraction refer to the increase in the size of a material as its heated and subsequent contraction during cooling.
Methods of Applications :
- Dipping
- Pouring
- Spraying
- Brushing