1, material selection:
The first step in making clay is to choose suitable materials. Kaolin, porcelain clay and other raw materials are usually used, which have high viscosity and good fire resistance. In addition, some auxiliary materials, such as quartz sand and limestone, need to be added to improve the properties of clay.
2, crushing:
Crushing the selected materials to promote mixing and processing. This process is usually completed by ball mill or crusher.
Step 3: Mix:
Mix the crushed raw materials together and add a proper amount of water to form a uniform slurry.
4, mud practice:
Put the mud into a mud refiner, knead and squeeze for many times, remove bubbles and impurities, and make the mud more delicate and uniform.
5. Forming:
After clay sculpture training, clay can be molded into various operations, such as making utensils and carving into decorations. The molding method can be selected as required, such as hand kneading, molding, filter pressing, etc.
6. Drying:
Molded clay needs to be dried to remove water and improve its strength and fire resistance.
7. Ignition:
The dried clay needs to be fired to make the organic matter in it burn completely and make its structure more stable. The firing process needs to be carried out in a specific kiln, and the temperature and time need to be adjusted according to different products.
8, cooling:
The fired clay needs to be naturally cooled to avoid the adverse effects caused by temperature changes.
9, processing:
Fired clay can be processed, such as polishing and carving, to improve its appearance and quality.
10, packing:
The processed clay needs to be packaged to protect its surface from damage and facilitate transportation and sales.
Clay is a ceramic material with a long history and a wide range of uses. It is a fine and sticky mud, which is usually used to make various ceramic products, such as pottery, porcelain, bricks and tiles.
In a word, the making process of clay sculpture is a complicated and delicate process, which needs many steps and links to be completed. Each process has an important influence on the quality and properties of clay, so the operating parameters and technological conditions of each process must be strictly controlled.