The Firing Process for Ceramics
The term “Firing” in ceramics means to transform clay from its soft, malleable state into a sturdy, durable state; fittingly named ceramic. The literal definition of ceramic is “made by clay and hardened by heat.” Which is why all the cups, bowls, and plates in your kitchen cabinet are called Ceramics. If you're interested in the science behind it, ceramic is a solid material comprised of an inorganic compound of metal, non-metal or metalloid atoms primarily held in ionic and covalent bonds. But enough of that, the fun part is the process of creating ceramics. So what is Firing? It is the process of bringing clay and its glazes up to a high temperature. The objective is to make the clay and glaze so hot that it "matures." Mature means they've reached their optimal level of melting. I don’t mean they melt like birthday candles on 14 th birthday. I mean the melting point on a molecular level. The firing process is usually completed in two
