What Are The Three Types Of Ceramics?

What Are Ceramics?

Ceramics are inorganic, non-metallic materials that are hardened when subjected to high temperature during manufacture. Ceramics were one of the earliest manmade materials, dating back thousands of years. The most common types of ceramics are earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain. Each type has unique properties and manufacturing processes that affect their appearance, strength, porosity, and cost.

Earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain make up the three main classifications of pottery and ceramics. In this article, we will introduce these three types, explore how they are manufactured, and examine their key traits and applications.

Earthenware

Earthenware is made from clay and fired at low temperatures, typically below 2,200°F (1,200°C). It is porous, allowing water and air to pass through. This makes it unsuitable for liquids, but useful for flower pots, dishes, tiles, and sculptures. According to the International Styles article Characteristics of Earthenware, earthenware can vary greatly in color and plasticity. Common colors include red, brown, and buff. The porosity means earthenware must be glazed if it will hold liquids.

Stoneware

Stoneware is made from very fine clay that is fired at high temperatures between 2,300 and 2,400 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the source from royalbaliceladon.com, stoneware is less porous than earthenware due to the higher firing temperature. This makes stoneware more durable and watertight, so it is commonly used to produce ceramic items like crockery, mugs, and jugs that can hold liquids without leaking.

The higher firing temperature also causes the clay particles to fuse closer together, resulting in a non-porous, vitrified material that is less likely to harbor bacteria. This makes stoneware safe for food and beverage usage. Compared to porcelain, stoneware maintains more texture and character from the clay minerals, giving it an earthier, organic look. While porcelain has a white color, stoneware tends to have a gray or brown tint from iron impurities in the clay.

Porcelain

Porcelain is made from kaolin clay and other ingredients fired at very high temperatures between 1,200 to 1,400 °C (2,200 to 2,600 °F). According to the Visual Arts Cork article, “Other ingredients may include ball clay, bone ash, glass, steatite and alabaster. The clays used in porcelain manufacture are usually lower in plasticity and are white firing.”

Porcelain is non-porous, hard, and thin. It is known for its white color and translucence. Porcelain is used to create fine china dishware, art objects, tiles, sanitaryware and electrical insulators.

According to the AIC article, “Only after firing does porcelain achieve its delicate, refined and translucent qualities so prized by collectors.”

Sources:

http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/east-asian-art/chinese-porcelain.htm

https://www.aic-iac.org/wp-content/uploads/Porcelain-A-diverse-medium-for-modern-times.-2.pdf

Manufacturing Process

The manufacturing process for the three main types of ceramics – earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain – involves several steps:

For earthenware, the clay is first mined, refined, and mixed with water to make a plastic consistency. It is then shaped by hand or with molds, trimmed and decorated if desired, and left to dry. Once dry, the earthenware undergoes a single firing at a lower temperature, generally between 1000-1150°C. This causes the clay to permanently harden into earthenware. Source

Stoneware uses a more refined clay that becomes vitrified and denser from higher firing temperatures between 1100-1300°C. The clay is shaped, decorated if desired, and undergoes a single firing process that causes the stoneware to become water-resistant and durable. Source

Porcelain starts with the most refined and pure clay, kaolin. It is shaped, decorated, and then undergoes two firings. The first biscuit firing is around 1000°C to begin hardening the clay. Then a glaze is applied and the porcelain undergoes a glost firing between 1200-1400°C to fully vitrify the clay and fuse on the glaze. This results in the translucent, glass-like porcelain.

Uses

Earthenware is a common type of pottery that is frequently used for flower pots, mugs, plates, bowls, and other decorative or functional household items. Some earthenware, like terracotta, is unglazed and porous so it can absorb water. Other earthenware has an opaque glaze applied on top, making it good for holding food, liquids, and resisting scratches. Earthenware is fired at lower temperatures than stoneware and porcelain.

Stoneware is a dense pottery that becomes fully vitrified and non-porous when fired at high temperatures between around 2,100 – 2,300°F. According to Shop Acorn Bluff, stoneware is commonly used for baking dishes, cookware like casserole dishes, tea pots and mugs, vases, dinnerware, and more. The glaze creates a glassy, nonporous surface perfect for frequent use and contact with food. Compared to earthenware, stoneware is stronger, more durable, and holds up better to impacts.

Porcelain is a highly refined, white clay pottery fired at very high temperatures above 2,300°F. According to Pottery Crafters, porcelain is often used for tableware, artware, sanitaryware and electrical insulators. The high firing temperature makes it vitreous, nonporous, and highly durable. However, porcelain is also brittle and prone to chipping or cracking compared to stoneware. Its smooth, glassy finish and white color make it popular for elegant tableware, dishes, decorative objects and art pieces.

Appearance

Porcelain has a thin, translucent white body and tends to have a delicate feel and appearance. It has a glasslike, shiny surface when glazed, and is smooth with very little texture or visible pores. Porcelain has a high fire temperature (often over 2300°F) resulting in low porosity and a vitrified or glassy body.

Stoneware has a denser, heavier body than porcelain. It tends to be opaque rather than translucent, and feels more substantial in the hand. The surfaces can be smooth or textured depending on the clay and glazing techniques used. Unglazed stoneware has a matte, sandstone-like surface. The clay used in stoneware has a high fire temperature, typically around 2200°F.

Earthenware has a coarse, porous body made from lower-fire clays. It is opaque and feels thicker and heavier than porcelain. The surface tends to have visible pores and texture from the clay particles, even when glazed. Glazes on earthenware tend to have lower gloss finishes. Earthenware clays fire at lower temperatures, usually below 2200°F.

Cost

Earthenware is typically the most affordable option of the three ceramic types. It can be mass produced efficiently and doesn’t require specialized materials or high firing temperatures, keeping costs down. Earthenware pieces often sell for $10-$50 depending on size and complexity.

Stoneware falls in the middle of the price range, generally selling for $20-$100. The higher firing temperature and denser clay result in more durable pieces that command moderately higher prices. More intricate stoneware pieces with detailed artistry can sell for over $100.

Porcelain commands the highest prices, with simple pieces starting around $30 and extending over $200 for ornate works. The meticulous crafting process and specialized materials like kaolin make porcelain more labor-intensive and expensive to produce. However, its delicate translucency and smooth finish make it highly desirable.

In summary, earthenware delivers great value for more casual everyday use, while porcelain represents a premium investment for special occasions and decorative display. Stoneware strikes a balance between the two in terms of cost, durability, and visual appeal.

History

Earthenware is one of the oldest forms of ceramic ware, dating back over 10,000 years to the Neolithic period. It originated independently in many parts of the world including East Asia, South Asia, the Near East, and Mesoamerica. Some of the earliest known earthenware comes from Japan where it was first made during the Jōmon period (14,000 – 300 BCE).

Stoneware originated in China over 2,000 years ago during the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BCE). It was further developed during the Han Dynasty around 100 CE. Chinese stoneware was later introduced to Europe around the 16th century.

Porcelain originated in China during the Tang Dynasty (618-906 CE). It was developed further during the Song Dynasty in the 10th century CE. Chinese porcelain became highly prized among the upper classes in Europe from the 17th century onwards. The earliest European porcelains were produced in Florence, Italy during the Renaissance in the 16th century.

Conclusion

In summary, the three main types of ceramics are earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain. Each type has distinct characteristics in terms of appearance, strength, porosity, firing temperature, cost, and common uses.

Earthenware is the most basic and oldest type of ceramic. It fires at lower temperatures, absorbs water, and is less strong than stoneware or porcelain. Earthenware has a coarse texture and is commonly used for pottery, decorative pieces, and floor and wall tiles.

Stoneware is fired at higher temperatures than earthenware, making it denser, more durable, and water-resistant. It has a smooth, refined texture and maintains its shape well. Stoneware is popular for tableware, cookware, vases, and architectural building materials.

Porcelain is the most advanced ceramic. It fires at very high temperatures and develops a glassy surface that is impermeable to water. Porcelain is very strong, durable, and delicate in appearance. It’s valued for art objects, tableware, sanitaryware, electrical insulators, and dental applications.

There are many factors to consider when selecting ceramics for different applications. With an understanding of the unique properties and characteristics of each type, one can determine the optimal ceramic material for the intended use.