The Microstructure and Translucency Investigation of Cellulose Containing Low Temperature Fritted Soft-paste Porcelain

Abstract

Translucent porcelain with appropriate workability has been considered beneficial for light and shadow to be used in the production of ceramic artworks. In addition, using low firing temperature encourages more artists to use this body. The soft-paste cellulose composite porcelain is composed of similar amount of high borax/calcia leadless frit and kaolin with 3% Vee gum T as a plasticizer. In order to increase workability and green strength, five volume units of soft-paste porcelain (SP) slip was mixed with one volume unit bleached bagasse pulp of sugar cane slip and then cellulose containing soft-paste porcelain (CSP) slip was made. The samples were formed by hand, dried and then fired at the optimum temperature of 1120 for 5 hours. Results showed that the SP sample became self-glazed after firing. Adding 20% paper pulp by 1.4 ⁄ density in volume to porcelain body slip (1.36 g cellulose fiber in 100 g SP) slightly increased transmission of light. Microstructure analysis showed a large amount of glass phase, which improved translucency of the bodies. Moreover, mullite needle shaped crystals were formed via reaction of clay and molten flux due to low melt viscosity. XRD results clearly showed that the fired soft-paste porcelain contained quartz, mullite, anorthite and albite in the fired state.