Ceramics Vocab Flashcards
(34 cards)
What is Bisque?
Unglazed but fired ware, usually accomplished in a low temperature firing prior to the glaze fire.
Define Body in ceramics.
A combination of natural clays and non-plastics, especially formulated to have certain workability and firing characteristics.
What are Calipers used for?
A two-pronged device for measuring inside and outside diameters.
What does Ceramics involve?
The art and science of forming objects from earth materials containing or combined with silica, produced with the aid of heat treatment at 1300°F or more.
What is Clay?
Fine grained earth materials formed by the decomposition of igneous rock; when combined with water, it is plastic enough to be shaped.
Describe Coil-Building.
An age-old method of constructing hollow forms by rolling and attaching ropes of soft clay.
What are Cones in ceramics?
Cones are placed in the kiln during firing as a guide, and to indicate the final heat; classified by number coded to their softening point.
What is meant by Dry Foot?
No glaze on the foot of a piece.
Define Engobe.
Liquid clay slip colored with metallic earth oxides or glaze stains applied to wet or leather-hard ware for decoration.
What is Firing in ceramics?
Heating in a kiln to the required temperature for clay or glaze.
What is the Foot in ceramics?
The base or bottom of a piece.
What is Glaze?
Glassy melted coating developed by chemicals and heat on a clay surface; provides decoration, color, and functional surface.
What is Greenware?
Finished leather-hard or bone-dry clay pieces not yet fired.
Define High-Fire.
Clay and glazes fired to Cone 1 (2057°F) or above.
What is a Kiln?
A furnace for firing clay.
What does Leather-hard refer to?
Cheese-hard stage which clay reaches before being bone-dry; stiff enough to support itself, but can still be altered.
Define Low-fire.
Clay and glazes fired to Cone 01 (2030°F) or below.
What is an Opaque Glaze?
Glazes that cannot be seen through.
Describe Pinching.
Moving and shaping the clay, usually with the fingers.
What is Plasticity in ceramics?
Workability; clay’s ability to form into any shape and get progressively harder when fired.
What is a Profile line?
Outside or inside line of a shape; the line formed when a shape bisects space.
What is a Pyrometer?
A calibrating instrument on the outside of a kiln, used to measure temperature during firing.
What is a Rib in ceramics?
A tool used to smooth and straighten clay, made of rubber, wood, gourd or metal.
What is Scoring?
A cross-hatch and moistening method of putting together coils, slabs, or other clay forms.
