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Article: Firing reactions revisited. (heating of ceramics)
- Article from:
- Ceramic Industry
- Article date:
- May 1, 1998
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1998 BNP Media. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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This article provides an overview of what occurs during vitrification and sintering.
The firing process can be defined as the process where ceramic powders and/or clay, which have been compacted, are heated to a temperature where useful properties will be developed. This process encompasses chemical and physical changes in the ceramic body accompanied by a loss of porosity and a subsequent increase in density.
The compacted powder body becomes bonded together in a rigid matrix by vitrification, which involves glass formation, or by sintering, where little or no liquid is present. Vitrification occurs during firing of structural clay, whitewares, fireclay ...