Porcelain: what is it and what is it made of, history, types and application

Porcelain is a very ancient material, however, today it is popular and in demand in many industries around the world.

This material is considered one of the varieties of ceramics. Products are made from such raw materials by high-temperature processing of white clay - kaolin, including additional ingredients, such as feldspar, quartz, and burnt bone. Firing the mass allows you to endow the finished product with water-repellent properties, an attractive color - white or cream. In addition, porcelain becomes non-porous, and a characteristic ringing becomes characteristic of the material for the production of dishes and decorative products.

Kaolin is pure clay that forms when feldspar is destroyed. Before processing, Chinese stone is crushed to a powdery state, after which the mixture is amenable to heat treatment in the range from +1200 to +1500 degrees. As a result of firing, the Chinese stone changes its consistency, fuses, forming non-porous glass. Kaolin is distinguished by resistance to heat, so it retains its original shape. The process of creating porcelain is considered complete after combining these materials into one working mass.

Most sources indicate that China is the birthplace of china. The emergence of this raw material belongs to the period of VI-VIII century BC. e.For many years, the formula and composition of this material were kept secret, interesting decorating techniques, including “rice porcelain”, were also born there. In Central Asia, porcelain products appeared around the 9th century, after 7 centuries, the technology for making unique raw materials became known to Japanese craftsmen, and later porcelain production began in Europe.

The history of the creation of Russian porcelain dates back to the XVIII century, but initially such material was similar to faience in its technical characteristics. The formation of porcelain products in Tsarist Russia had two directions - in those days private manufactories functioned, and the production of products from these raw materials was established under the tsar’s dynasty.

Among the most famous capacities that still operate, it is worth highlighting Imperial Porcelain Factorywhere small items were originally made, such as tea sets, snuff boxes and buttons for the empress. With the advent of Soviet power, private manufactories were nationalized, many manufacturing technologies were lost.

As for the European trend in the history of porcelain, the first craftsmen trying to create this material were Italians. The British, French and Germans also tried to succeed in this matter. However, they managed to achieve such a result as the Chinese did not immediately.

The first samples of European porcelain were more like glass. A real breakthrough in this direction was made in Germany, where the young alchemist Bettger and physicist Walter von Chirnhaus discovered large deposits of white clay, which radically differed from other fossils in their plasticity.

Today, many products are made from porcelain for different purposes. In each case, the composition of the material can change, in the light of which certain raw material features come to the fore. In general, the following positive qualities of porcelain should be highlighted:

• raw materials are completely impervious to moisture;
• the material has no voids in its composition, which is considered as a big plus in terms of hygiene of porcelain products;
• porcelain dishes are resistant to chemistry, in particular to acids;
• despite the fact that porcelain products are mostly thin, the material is distinguished by resistance to mechanical damage;
• souvenir products, as well as services and other utensils are able to transmit light, which gives them a special grace and airiness;
• products from high-quality raw materials stand out for their noble color without gray tint;
• the surface of porcelain products will be perfectly smooth;
• most of the decorative products can be used in everyday life for eating, which makes it universal.

The material and products from it are not without some drawbacks:

• most porcelain products require a special approach to care and storage;
• As a rule, high-quality products stand out for their high cost;
• dishes and souvenirs do not withstand sudden temperature jumps.

Today, several varieties of this raw material are distinguished, which differ in quality properties, as well as technological nuances related to production.

This species is also called natural. Modern manufacturers make it using a different number of basic components - kaolin and Chinese stone.The first ingredient plays a major role in endowing a raw material with an indicator such as strength, but at the same time it is rather unstable to mechanical damage, so it can be easily beaten. A solid variety usually has a considerable weight, such porcelain will not be transparent, and its surface may contain microscopic pores.

The material is obtained due to the high-temperature heating of the components, as a rule, to obtain raw materials, the mass is heated to an average of 1500 degrees, The firing process takes place in several stages. Initially, solid porcelain will be gray or white-blue, with subsequent processing, the shade of the raw material changes to a more noble one. Components of solid porcelain are not stand out for their high cost.

The second variety is called the opposite - artificial porcelain. This name is due to the fact that the soft look was first obtained in Europe when trying to repeat the skills of Chinese masters who made hard material. A feature of the technological process of manufacturing soft porcelain is firing, but when exposed to a mass of not such critical temperatures, in the light of which the raw material does not completely sinter, but remains porous. Among the notable features, it is worth highlighting a more attractive color of the material, which will be closer to the cream.

Another variety is considered bone and cold porcelain. The first type, in addition to the main components, additionally consists of burnt bone mass, it is durable, stands out for its transparency and whiteness.

Such material also involves the use of a certain technology for feldspar firing with pre-treated bone component, from which the adhesive component is removed. It is this porcelain that is called thin, since products from it stand out with thin-walled.

The production of cold porcelain was done by Argentine masters who used glue, glycerin, oils, and also corn starch as ingredients. The mass is similar in consistency to plasticine, freezes after the end of mechanical stress. The raw materials are very plastic, so it is used for the manufacture of thin and filigree products. The material is sold in finished form.

Modern manufacturers of porcelain products in practice apply several painting options:

• overglaze;
• underglaze;
• intraglazial.

The essence of the overglaze design is to apply the dye compositions to the surface of the object, which is burnt and coated with special glaze. From other coloring compounds, the substances used differ in the presence of a liquid component, which is able to lower the temperature.

Underglaze painting is done before applying the glaze composition. Since in the future such a product will be exposed to temperatures, the color range of the substances used in this case is distinguished by the minimum range. Most often, chrome or cobalt oxide is used for patterns.

Material with intraglaze painting lends itself to heat treatment of + 1200С-1300 degrees. During this exposure, the applied coloring composition is eaten into the glazed layer, which positively affects the safety and brightness of the paints even when they are subsequently contacted with acidic media or alcohols.

Today we can distinguish the main manufacturers of porcelain products:

• Kuznetsovsky Porcelain - A small company specializing in the manufacture of dishes and souvenirs;
• Center for the revival of traditional crafts "Skudelnik" - A company engaged in the manufacture of souvenirs, porcelain, as well as construction and architectural products made of ceramics;
• Gzhel Porcelain Factory - A large enterprise that produces and sells hand-painted products;
• PC "Dulevo porcelain" - manufacturer of products for the decoration of premises, as well as products of folk art crafts;
• Sagradelos - Spanish factory for the production of ceramics;
• Pickman - European manufacturer of china;
• english trademarks Royal Doulton and Wedgwood.

In order not to be mistaken with the choice of porcelain products, it is worth adhering to the following rules.

• High-quality ceramics should be thin, but durable. The cost depends on how thin the raw material is. Therefore, the price of the product through which you can see how the hands are translucent. This applies to dishes, as well as decorative products.
• Besides the fact that real porcelain will be transparent, it must also “sound” in a certain way. Usually products are checked for fraud using a wooden stick. The sound, when it comes into contact with porcelain, should be sonorous and melodic, while the deaf sound will indicate that the product being tested is fake.
• It is also important to pay attention to what color the material will have. Ideally, products made from quality raw materials will be white or ivory, gray should alert the buyer.
• It is worth paying attention to how the product is made. High-quality products everywhere will turn out to be perfectly smooth, dents and tubercles will indicate poor quality of the proposed products.
• The drawing deserves special attention. Even hand-painting should be uniform and accurate, however it is allowed if brush strokes are visible on the surface.
• It is also worth paying attention to the labeling of products and brands. Typically, their manufacturer puts on the back of the product. Give preference to well-known brands.

The purpose of the material is not only the production of dishes and products for room decor. Porcelain is used for the production of technical parts, since it has a low rate of water absorption and hardness. This applies to a solid variety of raw materials. Soft porcelain is mostly applicable for the production of art products, utensils, etc. Also, raw materials are in demand in dental offices, in particular, for the production of dental crowns.

As for household products from this material, they require a special approach to care and storage. To ceramic products retained their original appearance as long as possible, it is worth adhering to such recommendations.

• Washing of porcelain, especially antiques, should be carried out exclusively by hand. Hand-painted items can seriously suffer from hot water, as well as the use of abrasive sponges.
• Plates and other utensils must not be washed on weight under running water. Typically, containers or objects are placed on a plastic surface in the sink. It is necessary to lay a soft towel on it, collect water at room temperature, and gently wash the porcelain.
• The utensil having handles must be held by the body, do not press on the thin or lace elements of the container.
• Caring for real china is best done without the use of household chemicals. To remove heavy impurities, it is allowed to use baby soap or neutral chemicals. In some cases, a little ammonia can be added to the water. Processing is allowed to carry out hydrogen peroxide.
• Do not rub the porcelain surface with metal scrapers or sponges with a hard surface.It would be better to use a soft brush or cloth.
• Porcelain should not be completely immersed in water for a long time.
• Washed porcelain must be wiped dry.
• It is not recommended to wash antique porcelain with water; regular dust removal with a brush or a brush with natural pile will be sufficient for it.

During the Civil War, propaganda slogans and symbols were applied to dishes and decorative items from porcelain instead of drawings and ornaments. This has contributed to an increase in demand for ceramic products among all segments of the population. Such products were also especially appreciated among collectors.

Despite the release of a large number of porcelain products that will be resistant to mechanical stress, and some dishes can even be used in microwave ovens and washed in dishwashers, the most valued items are antiques.

In the next video, you will have an excursion to the tea porcelain factory.