Complex clay and complex ions: the chemistry of ceramics from Earth to fired finish.

From: Canadian Chemical News | Date: April 1, 2008| Author: Campbell, Anne | Copyright information

Decorate your home, furnish your reception area, or brush up on the chemistry of materials and light emission--with ceramics.

The ceramic process first began with the earliest discovery that earth mixed with water can be moulded into shapes. All pottery contains some amount of clay in combination with other materials. Clay allows the material to be easily manipulated and to maintain its new form with strength. Flux is another material present in pottery. It melts in the ...