Firing clay is the most critical part of the ceramics process because it is the one thing that makes clay durable, hence ceramic.
Salt Glazed pottery incorporates a unique method of glaze application.
Instead of the potter applying a coating of glaze minerals on to the surface of the pot before firing, the surface and colour is achieved through the firing method.
during the salt glazing process pots are engulfed in a sea of sodium vapours and fire. When salt is added into the kiln at 2000 degrees, it is releasing the sodium which acts as a flux on the silica in the pots, The sodium and fly ash from the wood is what creates a glaze on the pots by the vapours melting the surface of the pottery.
The technique dates to 15th century Germany. The discovery of the process likely resulted from using salt soaked drift wood or brine encrusted staves of barrels as fuel in wood fired kilns.
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