Free Online Glaze Chemistry Lesson: Ceramic Glaze Application | Ceramic Materials Workshop

In this video we explore the science behind the application of ceramic glazes.

This is just one lesson from one of our online course: Understanding Glazes.

Understanding Glazes is our most comprehensive glaze course that aims to develop a basic understanding of the following: 1) ceramic materials and their chemistry, origins, properties, and functions; 2) the tenants of heat and temperature as related to ceramic performance; 3) glaze formulas, analysis, and performance; 4) glaze flaws, their identification, and corrections; and 5) the function of ceramic oxides and color. We answer all of those questions you've always wondered about and smash a lot of those ceramic myths you may have been told.


Ceramic Materials ​Workshop is a place online to understand and explore how and why our Clay and Glazes work (and don’t work). Our materials speak for us in the home and gallery. It benefits us to learn about how to speak through our materials. Mastering the skills of clay and glaze performance helps every ceramicist, become their best self in the studio.

Tags for this video: glaze application, ceramic glaze application techniques, Glaze Chemistry, glaze calc, glazed and confused, ceramic materials workshop, U.M.F., ceramic glazes, glazes, pottery, ceramics, free glaze chemistry lesson

0:00 Introduction
0:24 Apply yourself
1:58 What is a Glaze?
3:08 Materialistic
4:05 Rocky
4:44 Particle Size of Typical Materials
6:30 In a Perfect World
7:32 Stacks on stacks
10:37 You Suction - Glaze application
13:46 Brush with destiny
17:07 Ka Boom
20:49 DDM 222
22:12 Bisque Temp + Water
25:31 Water Content
29:02 Specific Gravity
31:59 Viscosity
32:09 Zahn Cups
34:24 In Conclusion

[selmakaplan]

ALL the lessons. Big thank you and lots love from a village in Turkey.

[TheJojoaruba]

Matt, great lecture. Hope all is well with you and your family.

[alizasimons]

Great video & love the graphics and explanation of capillary suction!

[caraerickson]

Super helpful! Loved it! Thanks for sharing.

[louiskatzclay]

Love the melting glaze. I have wanted to do this forever!

[lisamcc]

Are u saying you fire different clay bodies all to C08?

[nicoleyensen]

There exists a commercially bought mug that's crazing after about a decade of daily use. Its user can't risk mold or bacteria growth so I have to repair the glaze. The sentimental value of this mug cannot be overstated, and I'm literally planning to build a kiln for this specific purpose. Can I fix it by refiring it? If so what temperatures do I need to reach (1350c? or higher?) and what timeline should I follow to guarantee retained moisture is vented off safely? If this is not possible what can I do to ensure it does not continue to deteriorate and that it is safe to use?

[kulsoomkhan]

information is quit good "BUT" emphasize on starting word of the senescence is pitchy to ear.

[kennetherickson]

Pity us poor single file peeps. No bisque safety valve for us.