EARTH
ca: TERRA
es: TIERRA
a) Earth is the name of the planet which we inhabit.
b) Earth is the ground, all the soft inorganic matter that makes up part of the world’s surface, soil of all kinds, gravel, clay and others.
EARTHENWARE
ca: PISA
es: LOZA
Earthenware: is a ceramic material, clay that has been fired to become bisque and used for decorative and practical work. The formulation of clay bodies differs depending on the source and in the past, ceramic businesses grew up round places where good quality clay could be found. In those days, one factory did everything from digging up the clay to selling the finished pieces. The composition of clay is 25% ball clay, 28% kaolin, 32% quartz, and 15% feldspar. The most common clay is red clay that can be fired between 600º C and up to 1100º C. At 600º C, it becomes solid, unpliable, but it should be fired to a higher temperature to stop it shrinking and make it stronger. The firing changes it into a solid, breakable but still porous material which is called bisque. White and buff colored earthenware clays are available. Earthenware is not as strong and more porous than stoneware, but it is cheaper and easier to work with. It’s used industrially for many products such as bricks, flower jars, etc and when glazed, it is no longer porous and is used for domestic ware.
EARTHENWARE GLAZES
ca: PISA ESMALTADA
es: LOZA ESMALTADA
Earthenware glazes: They are glazes that vitrify below 1150º C and are usually smooth and shiny. They are mixed with products to make an opaque white glaze. This is known as a glaze-base and can be used to decorate in many different ways, forming very bright colors. Luster, Majolica (in-glazing), on-glazing and slips are some of the methods that it is used with.
EASEL
ca: CAVALLET
es: CABALLETE
Click on the title to see more images
Easel is a stand for displaying and working and can support a canvas, blackboard, tiles, plates, etc. There are several different types, portable ones that can be folded and in the illustrations below there are three; the first one on the left slants, it is light and the legs can be closed; the center one is good because the main part can be straight or moved backward; and the last photo shows the easel I have in my studio that is straight and has wheels. They all have all have two bars; each has a fence on the outer edge to stop what they hold from slipping off and they can be moved up and down to support work of different sizes. I prefer the straight ones because if you work for many hours it is better for your back. For painting or displaying tiles and plates, stands are used.
See: Plate – Stand / Tile – Stands
EGYPTIAN PASTE
ca: PASTA EGÍPCIA
es: PASTA EGIPCIA
Egyptian paste was found by archaeologists in excavated Egyptian tombs. It was a soft workable material that had been formed into jewelry and small images. It is now available and is supplied in the form of white powder which can be mixed with colors to create the ones you desire; it comes with instructions for use either in molds or shaping by hand and is fired at 1015ºC.
ELECTRIC KILN
ca: FORN ELÈCTRIC
es: HORNO ELÉCTRICO
Electric kilns developed during the last century for use in small businesses such as in schools, studios and craft centers. Kiln temperatures were controlled by pyrometer or cone, but kilns are now made so that the whole process of firing is done automatically. Kilns are an essential tool in the manufacture of all ceramics for the firing of clay and glazes at different temperatures and there are many different types. See: Kilns
ELECTRICITY
ca: ELECTRICITAT
es: ELECTRICIDAD
Electricity fundamental physical agent now understood to be caused by the presence and motion of electrons, protons, and charged particles, manifesting itself as attraction, for repulsion, luminous and heating effects, and the like. (Webster’s)
ELEMENTS
ca: ELEMENTS
es: ELEMENTOS
a) An element inside a kiln is coil-shaped and produces the heat.
b) Pure chemical elements: Below are two lists, the first contains the names of the elements in alphabetical order with their chemical symbols and the second is in reverse, the symbols are in alphabetical order.
c) Element; doing what one enjoys or one is naturally good at.
ELEMENTS - Names/Symbols
es: ELEMENTOS - Nombres / Símbolos
| Aluminum | Al | Antimony | Sb | Arsenic | As | ||||||
| Barium | Ba | Beryllium | Bi | Bismuth | Bi | Boron | B | ||||
| Cadmium | Cd | Calcium | Ca | Carbon | C | Cerium | Ce | ||||
| Chorine | Cl | Chromium | Cr | Cobalt | Co | Copper | Cu | ||||
| Fluorine | F | ||||||||||
| Germanium | Ge | Gold | Au | ||||||||
| Hydrogen | H | ||||||||||
| Iron | Fe | ||||||||||
| Lead | Pb | Lithium | Li | ||||||||
| Magnesium | Mg | Manganese | Mn | ||||||||
| Nickel | Ni | Nitrogen | N | ||||||||
| Oxygen | O | ||||||||||
| Phosphorus | P | Platinum | Pt | Potassium | K | Praseodymium | Pr | ||||
| Selenium | Se | Silicon | Si | Silver | Ag | Sodium | Na | Strontium | Sr | Sulfur | S |
| Tin | Sn | Titanium | Ti | ||||||||
| Uranium | U | ||||||||||
| Vanadium | V | ||||||||||
| Zinc | Zn | ||||||||||
| Zirconium | Zr |
ELEMENTS - Symbols / Names
es: ELEMENTOS - Símbolos / Nombres
| Al | Aluminum | Ag | Silver | As | Arsenic | Au | Gold | ||||
| Bi | Boron | Ba | Barium | Bi | Bismuth | B | Beryllium | ||||
| C | Carbon | Ca | Calcium | Cd | Cadmium | Ce | Cerium | ||||
| Cl | Chorine | Co | Cobalt | Cr | Chromium | Cu | Copper | ||||
| F | Fluorine | Fe | Iron | ||||||||
| Ge | Germanium | ||||||||||
| H | Hydrogen | ||||||||||
| K | Potassium | ||||||||||
| Li | Lithium | ||||||||||
| Mg | Magnesium | Mn | Manganese | ||||||||
| N | Nitrogen | Na | Sodium | Ni | Nickel | ||||||
| O | Oxygen | ||||||||||
| P | Phosphorus | Pb | Lead | Pr | Praseodymium | Pt | Platinum | ||||
| Sb | Antimony | Se | Selenium | Si | Silicon | Sn | Tin | Sr | Strontium | S | Sulfur |
| Ti | Titanium | ||||||||||
| U | Uranium | ||||||||||
| V | Vanadium | ||||||||||
| Zn | Zinc | ||||||||||
| Zr | Zirconium |
ELEMENTS - Used in ceramics
ca: ELEMENTOS - Utilizados en cerámica
es: ELEMENTOS - Utilizados en cerámica
| Name | Symbol | Atomic weight | Melting point ºF | Melting point ºC |
| Aluminum | Al | 27 | 1220 | 660 |
| Antimony | Sb | 120 | 1166 | 630 |
| Barium | Ba | 137,4 | 1299 | 704 |
| Bismuth | Bi | 208 | 516 | 269 |
| Boron | B | 11 | 4082 | 2250 |
| Cadmium | Cd | 112.4 | 609 | 321 |
| Calcium | Ca | 40 | 1566 | 652 |
| Carbon | C | 12 | 5432 | 3000 |
| Chorine | Cl | 35.5 | -217 | -103 |
| Chromium | Cr | 52 | 3328 | 1851 |
| Cobalt | Co | 59 | 2718 | 1492 |
| Copper | Cu | 363.6 | 1983 | 1084 |
| Fluorine | F | 19 | -436 | -224 |
| Gold | Au | 197 | 1945 | 1063 |
| Hydrogen | H | 1 | -495 | -257 |
| Iron | Fe | 56 | 2279 | 1526 |
| Lead | Pb | 207 | 621 | 327 |
| Lithium | Li | 6.9 | 376 | 186 |
| Magnesium | Mg | 24.3 | 1200 | 649 |
| Manganese | Mn | 55 | 2268 | 1242 |
| Nickel | Ni | 58.7 | 2651 | 1455 |
| Nitrogen | N | 14 | -410 | -210 |
| Oxygen | O | 16 | -426 | -219 |
| Phosphorous | P | 31 | 111 | 44 |
| Potassium | K | 39 | 147 | 64 |
| Selenium | Se | 79 | 423 | 217 |
| Silicon | Si | 28.3 | 2579 | 1415 |
| Silver | Ag | 108 | 1760 | 960 |
| Sodium | Na | 23 | 208 | 98 |
| Strontium | Sr | 87.6 | 1422 | 772 |
| Sulfur | S | 32 | 241 | 116 |
| Tin | Sn | 119 | 450 | 232 |
| Titanium | Ti | 48 | 3268 | 1798 |
| Vanadium | V | 51 | 1270 | 690 |
| Zinc | Zn | 65.4 | 780 | 419 |
| Zirconium | Zr | 90.6 | 3373 | 1856 |
Carbon = C 12 volatizes above 5432 volatizes above 3000
ELEPHANT’S EAR
Elephant’s ear is a sponge used for pressing in molds, it should be strong enough to press with and soft enough not to damage your work.
ELORESCENCE
ca: EFLORESCÈNCIA
es: EFLORESCENCIA
Elorescence in clay: is bits of white scum in red clay which cannot be seen but when fired and it becomes bisque, white spots can form in the surface, they are very difficult to remove and if removed, will leave an indent and if glazed will expel the glaze at that point.
ENAMEL COLORS - Working with them
ca: ESMALTS DE COLORS - Treballant amb ells
es: ESMALTE DE COLORES - Trabajando con ellos
Enamel colors are mixed with oil, varnish or other substances, so when painting, they adhere to the glazed surface. When fired, they do not penetrate the glaze but are fused to the surface. If you run your fingers over it, you can feel unevenness between the color and the glaze-base.Before starting to prepare the colors which are in powder form, make sure that they are completely dry, dampness could affect them. To dry, spread the color over a piece of newspaper and leave in a warm place.
Working order
a) Rub a fine layer of Arabic glue over the whole work.
b) Mix one part of varnish with 3 parts of pure turpentine. This can be kept for a while in a pot with a tight fitting lid
c) Grind the colors on a stone slab and add the above liquid to them, until they have the density required.
d) Decorating; some colors might need two coats of paint to strengthen them. e) When the decoration is finished, leave it to dry it for 24 hours.
f) Then it can be fired.
The above is the normal procedure, but I finish by putting a thin layer of transparent glaze over it. Using a big soft brush, with great care put a thin layer of glaze over the whole work. Then fire it. When fired, the varnish burns away and the glaze on top has a finished look, as though all the decoration, the glaze and colors had been fired together in one firing. I use the same colors as I use for the Majolica method and fire at the same temperature, 980ºC.
ENAMEL COLORS - Also know as On-Glaze
ca: ESMALTS DE COLORES - DE TERCER FOC
es: ESMALTE DE COLORES - TERCER FUEGO
Enamel colors: They have a large and spectacular range and are applied to ware which already has a fired glaze. Their firing temperature is between 700º C and 850º C. The process can be repeated several times by adding colors that vitrify at the same or lower heat and using methods such as painting, screen-printing and spraying. These colors can be bought already prepared or you can prepare them yourself either with turpentine, oil, or colorless varnish, all natural products that burn away. Enamel decorating is also known as on-glazing, which means firing three times, bisque, glaze and decoration. With this method and at this temperature, transfers can be used.
See: On-Glaze / Transfer
ENCAUSTIC
ca: INCRUSTACIÓ
es: INCRUSTACIÓN
Encaustic: is clay that has spaces cut out and clays of different colors laid into these space
See: Inlaying – Colored clay and slip
ENGRAVING
ca: GRAVAT
es: GRABADO
Engraving: is to cut and indent into clay to form a design or texture. The clay can be at any stage of drying and the harder the clay, the sharper the lines. This type of decoration was traditionally covered and fired with a colored transparent glaze and as the glaze is thicker at the indented parts, it deepens the color. It is also known as incising. See: Incising
EQUIPMENT
ca: EQUIPAMENT
es: EQUIPAMENTO
Equipment refers to tools and all forms of accessories needed for a job. Each piece or pieces are described under their name and in special sections under the generic name of a subject, like kiln furniture or clay tools.See: Brushes – Decotating / Kiln furniture
EXPANSION
ca: EXPANSIÓ
es: EXPANSIÓN
Expansion most materials expand with heating and contract with cooling. Clay shrinks when being fired and goes on shrinking until it reaches its set heat. It does not alter when cooling but the glaze shrinks and if the balance between the two is not correct, this difference between the biscuit and the glaze is what causes crazing.
EXTRUDER
ca: EXTRUSORA
es: EXTRUSORA
Extruder: There are two types of extruders, which work with electricity or by hand and each has many variations.
Hand controlled extruder passes clay, clean and well kneaded, through a tube to form coils, which are used to make handles, applied decorating and coiling
Electric controlled extruder is a machine for compressing and recuperating clay so that it can be used again, this also improves its strength and workability. It breaks down the clay and shapes it into a solid tube, known as a coil. There are many different sizes and types, for big industrial business and for small studios and schools.
Note: The following three sections are about extruders;
Extruder (a) Manual; Extruder (b) Electric: Extruder (c) How to keep it.
EXTRUDER (a) Manual
Click on the title to see more images
Extruder is a tool that passes clay through a tube to form coils, which are used for handles on jugs, cups, teapots and for applied decorating. There are different types that can be hand-held or attached to a wall or table. They use dies which are metal disks with spaces cut out to extrude different shaped coils. The clay that is used must be clean and well kneaded
The following explains each illustration.
1) Shows how the tube pushes the clay down through the die
2) Gives the names and show each section of an extruder
3) Syringe extruder. The die is attached to the bottom, the tube is filled up with clay, then the handle is pushed down and this expels the coil through the die.
4) Table extruder. It is attached firmly to a table or shelf, which it over laps leaving enough space for the coil to be expelled. The handle is attached to a long screw which has a disk at the end. The tube is filled up with clay, the handle is turned this pushes the disk down through the tube onto the clay which goes down and out through the die to form a coil.
5) Clay Gun Extruder:The pressure of closing the trigger pushes and turns the screw which moves the plunger down through the tube, making the clay come out through the die.
Recommendations
The clay must not be left to harden in the tube, start the process of cleaning as soon as you have finished what you were doing. Periodically oil the screw with drops of mineral oil.
Note: They are known under different names, in the dictionary these names are placed correctly with a short explanation and then linked to this article. Dod Box and Wad Mill are different names used for the same product.
The last four illustrations come from
EXTRUDER (b) Electric (Plug Mill)
ca: EXTRUSORA (b) Elèctrica (pastadora)
es: EXTRUSORA (b) Eléctrica (amasadora)
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Extruder – electric*also known as a Plug Mill. It is a machine for compressing and recuperating clay so that it can be used again and it improves its strength and workability. There are many types of extruders for big industrial business and for small studios. They are made for mixing clay into a usable, pliable state and expelling it into large coils.
An extruder should only be used for one type of clay as cleaning them well is nearly impossible and clays should not be mixed. When clay is in the state to use but has too much water, never separate it from the water as it has many substances that it needs. Let it dry until it can be passed through the extruder.
The large industrial ones are used in the final stages of making clay that has been taken out of the earth, dried, sieved many times with the meshes being used gradually getting finer and finer, it is then mixed with water passed again through a sieve and left to dry to a pliable state, then passed through the extruder.
These photos show one of the smallest that is simple and good, with an arm that forces the clay down which is pulled across from one side to the other. Many are made with arms that move length wise.
The neck is filled up with clay and with the machine working the handle is pulled down, this forces the clay down and through the mixer, then the lid is lifted and more clay is added. This is repeated and the pressure pushes the clay down the tube forming a large solid coil until it comes out on to the long plank at the front, it can then be sliced into the lengths needed with a wire cutter.
EXTRUDER (c) How to keep
es: EXTRUSORA (c) Mantenimiento
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How to keep the extruder in a good working condition when not being used.
When you finish working there is always clay left in the machine so it must be packed and kept so it is always pliable, never let it dry and become hard.
a) This shows the extruder prepared to leave. The mouth where the coil comes out has a plastic lid, put a piece of damp material between it and the clay and cover the outside with plastic and tie tightly in the same way as the neck.
b) Put a plastic bag inside the neck, push it down as far as possible, flatten it round the inside walls and bend the top over the edge of the neck on to the outside, the less air the better. Then put a damp rag in another plastic bag, close it and leave it inside. Cut a plastic bag into a long piece and tie it round the plastic on the outside wall of the neck and shut it. This will keep the clay from drying and occasionally dampen the rag.
EXTRUSION
ca: EXTRUSIÓ
es: EXTRUSIÓN
Extrusion is forcing clay through different objects, tubes, wire nets, kitchen utensils etc. or through a die plate. With these, the clay comes out as a tube in the shape of the die. The dies have a special design and can be hollow or solid. The solid ones are used for applied decoration and to make handles.