Rethinking Heat Energy in the Conversion of Clay to Ceramic: A Key to Successful Ceramic Practice

Abstract

Ceramics as the art and science of baked clay has provided man with several wares with which man solves his daily problems. Heat or thermal energy plays a vital role in the baking, firing or conversion of clay in ceramic production as no green ware, no matter how beautiful, is useful without being subjected to heat treatment which converts clay to its permanent, rocklike, dense, vitreous, impermeable, beautiful and useful ceramic. Over the years, potters as creative people have been producing beautiful wares only to lose a lot of them during firing as a result of lack of adequate knowledge of the action of heat energy in the conversion process. The aim of this paper therefore is to bring to the fore, the action of heat energy in the conversion of clay to ceramic. The objectives will include; to take a look at what a kiln is, to consider the types of kilns, the sources of energy for firing kilns and the approaches towards achieving a successful firing. Data are collected from both primary and secondary sources which will give a better understanding of heat energy and its role in the conversion process.