Porcelain

Porcelain is a ceramic material made by heating materials, generally including kaolin, in a kiln to temperatures between 1,200 and 1,400 °C (2,200 and 2,600 °F). The toughness, strength, and translucence of porcelain, relative to other types of pottery, arises mainly from vitrification and the formation of the mineral mullite within the body at these high temperatures.

History

Porcelain was first made in China, and it is believed to have been developed around the time of the Eastern Han dynasty (25–220). It combined pottery-making techniques with the manufacturing of hard-paste porcelain. The earliest porcelain was made from kaolin (white clay) and petuntse (a type of feldspar), fired at high temperatures.

Types of Porcelain

There are three main types of porcelain, named after their place of origin: Hard-paste porcelain, Soft-paste porcelain, and Bone china.

Hard-paste porcelain

Hard-paste porcelain was first made in China and Korea. It is prepared by mixing kaolin, feldspar, and quartz, then fired at a high temperature to achieve a glassy finish.

Soft-paste porcelain

Soft-paste porcelain was first made in Europe. It is prepared by mixing clay with feldspar, but it is fired at a lower temperature than hard-paste porcelain.

Bone china

Bone china is a type of soft-paste porcelain that is composed of bone ash, feldspathic material, and kaolin. It has been made in the UK since the late 18th century.

Production

The production of porcelain involves several steps, including the selection and preparation of raw materials, the formation of the porcelain body, the decoration and glazing of the body, and the firing of the porcelain.

Uses

Porcelain has been used for a variety of purposes, including tableware, decorative arts, and even dental prosthetics.

See also

• Ceramic
• Pottery
• Kaolin
• Kiln
• Vitrification
• Mullite
• Eastern Han dynasty
• Hard-paste porcelain
• Soft-paste porcelain
• Bone china

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