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

Porcelain is a very ancient material, but 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, 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 is inherent in the material for the production of tableware and decorative products.

Kaolin is a pure clay that forms when feldspar breaks down. Before processing, Chinese stone is crushed to a powdery state, after which the mixture is subject to temperature processing in the range from +1200 to +1500 degrees. As a result of firing, the Chinese stone changes its consistency and fuses to form non-porous glass. Kaolin stands out for its resistance to heat, so it retains its original shape. The porcelain making process is considered complete when these materials are combined into one working mass.

Most sources indicate that China is the birthplace of porcelain. The emergence of this raw material is attributed to the period of the VI-VIII century A.D. NS.For many years, the formula and composition of this material were kept secret, and interesting decorating techniques, including "rice porcelain", were also born there. In Central Asia, porcelain products appeared approximately in the 9th century, after 7 centuries the technology of making unique raw materials became known to Japanese masters, and later porcelain production began in Europe.

The history of the creation of Russian porcelain dates back to the 18th century, but initially such material was similar to faience in its technical characteristics. The formation of the production of porcelain products in Tsarist Russia had two directions - at that time private manufactories functioned, and the production of products from these raw materials was also established under the leadership of the royal dynasty.

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Imperial Porcelain Factory, where small items such as tea sets, snuff boxes and buttons for the Empress were originally made.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

As for the European trend in the history of porcelain, the first craftsmen to try to create this material were Italians. Also, the British, French and Germans tried to succeed in this matter. However, they did not manage to achieve such a result as the Chinese did 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 Böttger and physicist Walter von Chirnhaus discovered large deposits of white clay, which radically differed from other fossils in its plasticity.

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

• the raw material is completely impervious to moisture;
• the material has no voids in its composition, which is considered a big plus in terms of the hygiene of porcelain products;
• porcelain dishes are resistant to chemicals, in particular to acids;
• despite the fact that porcelain products are mostly thin, the material stands out for its resistance to mechanical damage;
• souvenir products, as well as sets and other utensils are capable of transmitting light, which gives them a special grace and airiness;
• products made 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 them versatile.

The material and products from it are not devoid of some disadvantages:

• most of the porcelain products require a special approach to care and storage;
• as a rule, high-quality products are distinguished by their high cost;
• tableware and souvenir products do not withstand sudden temperature fluctuations.

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

This species is also called natural. Modern manufacturers make it using different amounts of the main components - kaolin and Chinese stone.The first ingredient plays a major role in endowing the raw material with such an indicator as strength, but at the same time it is rather unstable to mechanical damage, therefore it beats easily. The hard variety usually has a lot of 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, hard porcelain will be gray or blue-white, with subsequent processing the shade of the raw material changes to a more noble one. The components of hard porcelain are not distinguished by their high cost.

The second variety is called the other way around - 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 craftsmen who made hard material. A feature of the technological process for the manufacture of soft porcelain is firing, but when the mass is exposed to not such critical temperatures, in light of which the raw material is not completely sintered, but remains porous. Among the remarkable features, it is worth highlighting the more attractive color of the material, which will be closer to cream.

Another variety is considered bone and cold china... 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 firing feldspar mass with a pretreated bone component, from which the adhesive component is removed. It is this porcelain that is called thin, since products made from it are distinguished by their thinness.

Argentine craftsmen were involved in the production of cold porcelain, who used glue, glycerin, oils, and corn starch as ingredients. The mass is similar in consistency to plasticine, solidifies after the end of the mechanical action. Raw materials are very plastic, therefore they are used for the manufacture of fine and filigree products. The material is sold ready-made.

Modern manufacturers of porcelain products in practice use several options for painting:

• overglaze;
• underglaze;
• intraglaze.

The essence of overglaze design is to apply coloring compositions to the surface of an object that has been burnt and covered with a special glaze. The substances used differ from other coloring compositions by the presence of a liquid component that can 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 assortment of the substances used in this case is distinguished by a minimal assortment. Most often, chrome or cobalt oxide is used for patterns.

The material with intraglaze painting lends itself to a temperature treatment of + 1200C-1300 degrees. In the course of such exposure, the applied coloring composition eats into the glazed layer, which has a positive effect on the preservation and brightness of the paints even with their subsequent contact with acidic media or alcohols.

Today, the main manufacturers of porcelain products can be distinguished:

• "Kuznetsovsky porcelain" - a small enterprise specializing in the manufacture of tableware and souvenirs;
• Center for the revival of traditional crafts "Skudelnik" - a company engaged in the manufacture of souvenirs, artistic porcelain, as well as construction and architectural products from ceramics;
• Gzhel porcelain factory - a large enterprise engaged in the production and sale of hand-painted products;
• PC "Dulevo Porcelain" - manufacturer of products for interior decoration, as well as products of folk arts and crafts;
• Sagradelos - Spanish factory for the production of ceramics;
• Pickman - European manufacturer of porcelain tableware;
• english trade marks Royal Doulton and Wedgwood.

In order not to be mistaken with the choice of porcelain products, you should adhere to the following rules.

• Quality ceramics should be thin but durable. Its cost depends on how thin the raw material is. Therefore, in the price of the product, through which you can see how your hands shine through. This applies to tableware, as well as decorative items.
• In addition to being transparent, real porcelain also has to "sound" in a certain way. Usually, products are checked for falsification using a wooden stick. The sound when it comes into contact with porcelain should be sonorous and melodic, while the deaf one will indicate that the tested product is a 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. Quality products will be flawlessly smooth everywhere, dents and bumps will indicate the poor quality of the products offered.
• 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 product labeling and stamps. Usually the manufacturer applies them to the back of the product. It is worth giving preference to well-known brands.

The purpose of the material is not only the production of tableware and products for interior decoration. Porcelain is used for the production of technical parts because of its low water absorption and hardness. This applies to the hard variety of raw materials. For the most part, soft porcelain is used for the production of art products, tableware, etc. Raw materials are also in demand in dental offices, in particular, for the production of dental crowns.

As for household products made from this material, they require a special approach to care and storage. In order for ceramic products to retain their original appearance as long as possible, it is worth adhering to these recommendations.

• Porcelain, especially antiques, should be washed by hand. Hand-painted items can be severely damaged by hot water and the use of abrasive sponges.
• Plates and other utensils must not be weighed under running water. Usually containers or objects are placed on a plastic surface in the sink. It is necessary to spread a soft towel on it, take water at room temperature, and gently wash the porcelain.
• Dishes with handles must be held by the body, do not press on thin or lacy elements of the container.
• It is best to take care of real porcelain without using household chemicals. To remove stubborn dirt, it is allowed to use baby soap or neutral chemicals. In some cases, you can add a little ammonia to the water. Processing is allowed to be performed with hydrogen peroxide.
• Do not rub the porcelain surface with metal scrapers or hard sponges.It would be better to use a soft brush or cloth.
• Porcelain should not be completely submerged in water for a long time.
• The washed porcelain must be wiped dry.
• It is not recommended to wash antique porcelain with water; regular removal of dust with a brush or a brush with natural bristles will be sufficient for it.

During the Civil War, instead of drawings and ornaments, campaign slogans and symbols were applied to dishes and decorative items made of porcelain. This contributed to an increase in the demand for ceramic products among all segments of the population. Such items 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, Antique items are valued the most.

In the next video, you will take a tour of a tea porcelain factory.