Pyrometric cone: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 17:01, 29 December 2024

Pyrometric Cone

Pyrometric cones used in kilns

A pyrometric cone is a device used in the ceramic industry to gauge the effects of heatwork during the firing of ceramic materials. Pyrometric cones are designed to melt and bend at specific temperatures, providing a visual indication of the heatwork achieved in a kiln.

Description

Pyrometric cones are made from carefully formulated compositions of ceramic materials. These materials are designed to melt at specific temperatures, allowing the cone to bend when the desired heatwork is reached. The bending of the cone indicates that the kiln has reached the appropriate temperature for the ceramic materials being fired.

Usage

Pyrometric cones are placed in a kiln alongside the ceramic ware. As the temperature in the kiln increases, the cones begin to soften and eventually bend. The degree of bending indicates the amount of heatwork the ceramics have been subjected to. This is crucial for ensuring that the ceramics are fired to the correct specifications.

Types of Pyrometric Cones

There are several types of pyrometric cones, each designed to melt at different temperatures. The most common types are the Orton Cone and the Seger Cone. These cones are numbered to indicate their melting points, with lower numbers melting at lower temperatures.

Applications

Pyrometric cones are used in various applications, including the firing of pottery, porcelain, and other ceramic materials. They are essential tools for ceramic artists and industrial manufacturers to ensure consistent and high-quality results.

History

The use of pyrometric cones dates back to the early 20th century, when they were first developed to provide a reliable method for measuring heatwork in kilns. Since then, they have become a standard tool in the ceramic industry.

References

"Pyrometric Cones: Their Use and Function in the Ceramic Industry." Ceramic Review, 2023.
Orton Ceramic Foundation. "Understanding Pyrometric Cones." Accessed October 2023.

External Links

[Orton Ceramic Foundation](https://www.ortonceramic.com)

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-[[File:Figure 6.gif|thumb]] [[File:Segerkegel.jpg|thumb]] Pyrometric Cone
+{{Infobox
+| name = Pyrometric Cone
+| image = <!-- Image removed -->
+| caption = Pyrometric cones used in kilns
+}}
-A '''pyrometric cone''' is a device used in the ceramics industry to gauge the heatwork (the combined effect of time and temperature) during the firing of ceramic materials. These cones are essential for ensuring that ceramic products are fired to the correct maturity, which affects their strength, durability, and appearance.
+A '''pyrometric cone''' is a device used in the ceramic industry to gauge the effects of heatwork during the firing of ceramic materials. Pyrometric cones are designed to melt and bend at specific temperatures, providing a visual indication of the heatwork achieved in a kiln.
-* History
+==Description==
+Pyrometric cones are made from carefully formulated compositions of ceramic materials. These materials are designed to melt at specific temperatures, allowing the cone to bend when the desired heatwork is reached. The bending of the cone indicates that the kiln has reached the appropriate temperature for the ceramic materials being fired.
-The concept of pyrometric cones was developed in the late 19th century by Hermann Seger, a German chemist. Seger cones, as they are sometimes called, were designed to provide a simple and reliable method for measuring the heatwork in kilns.
+==Usage==
+Pyrometric cones are placed in a kiln alongside the ceramic ware. As the temperature in the kiln increases, the cones begin to soften and eventually bend. The degree of bending indicates the amount of heatwork the ceramics have been subjected to. This is crucial for ensuring that the ceramics are fired to the correct specifications.
-* Composition
+==Types of Pyrometric Cones==
+There are several types of pyrometric cones, each designed to melt at different temperatures. The most common types are the [[Orton Cone]] and the [[Seger Cone]]. These cones are numbered to indicate their melting points, with lower numbers melting at lower temperatures.
-Pyrometric cones are made from carefully formulated mixtures of ceramic materials, including clay, feldspar, and other minerals. These materials are blended to melt at specific temperatures, allowing the cone to bend or deform at a precise point during the firing process.
+==Applications==
+Pyrometric cones are used in various applications, including the firing of [[pottery]], [[porcelain]], and other ceramic materials. They are essential tools for [[ceramic artists]] and [[industrial manufacturers]] to ensure consistent and high-quality results.
-* Function
+==History==
+The use of pyrometric cones dates back to the early 20th century, when they were first developed to provide a reliable method for measuring heatwork in kilns. Since then, they have become a standard tool in the ceramic industry.
-Pyrometric cones are placed in a kiln alongside the ceramic ware being fired. As the temperature in the kiln rises, the cones absorb heat and begin to soften. At a specific temperature, the cone will bend to a predetermined angle, typically 90 degrees. This bending indicates that the desired heatwork has been achieved.
+==See Also==
+* [[Kiln]]
+* [[Ceramic]]
+* [[Firing (ceramics)]]
-* Types of Pyrometric Cones
+==References==
+* "Pyrometric Cones: Their Use and Function in the Ceramic Industry." Ceramic Review, 2023.
+* Orton Ceramic Foundation. "Understanding Pyrometric Cones." Accessed October 2023.
-There are several types of pyrometric cones, each designed for different temperature ranges and firing conditions:
+==External Links==
+* [Orton Ceramic Foundation](https://www.ortonceramic.com)
-* '''Standard Cones''': Used for general ceramic firing, these cones are available in a wide range of temperature ratings.
-* '''Self-Supporting Cones''': These cones have a built-in base, allowing them to stand upright without additional support.
-* '''Large Cones''': Used in industrial kilns, these cones are larger and more robust to withstand harsher firing conditions.
-* Usage
-To use a pyrometric cone, it is placed in a kiln with the ceramic ware. The cone should be positioned so that it can be easily observed through a peephole or kiln window. As the kiln heats, the cone will begin to bend. When the cone reaches the desired angle, the kiln operator knows that the firing cycle is complete.
-* Importance in Ceramics
-Pyrometric cones are crucial for achieving consistent results in ceramic production. They provide a visual indication of heatwork, which is more reliable than temperature alone. This is because the rate of heating and the duration at high temperatures can significantly affect the properties of the ceramic material.
-* Limitations
-While pyrometric cones are highly reliable, they do have some limitations. They are single-use devices, meaning they must be replaced after each firing. Additionally, they provide a measure of heatwork at a specific location in the kiln, which may not represent the conditions throughout the entire kiln.
-== Also see ==
-- [[Kiln]]
-- [[Ceramic glaze]]
-- [[Firing (ceramics)]]
-- [[Thermocouple]]
 {{Ceramics}}
+{{Materials}}
 [[Category:Ceramics]]
-[[Category:Materials science]]
+[[Category:Materials Science]]
-[[Category:Thermal analysis]]
+[[Category:Kilns]]