Throwing Clay with Iron Fillings on the Potter's Wheel

Abstract

Previous studies on Iron fillings and Clay have shown that Iron fillings is of significant importance in ceramic composite especially as it has to do with the reduction of shrinkage on clay and the speckle effect on clay for decorative ceramics wares. The working of Iron fillings of different aggregate sizes into clay is both a pleasant and ugly experience which is worthy of documenting. This will be important to guide a ceramist that will intend to line blend and produce wares with iron fillings and clay by throwing on the potter's wheel. Iron fillings were gotten and analysed by sieving into different aggregate sizes for experimentation on clay. Clays were also gotten and prepared into a workable consistency. Iron fillings and clay were blended together in different percentages, this was followed by throwing on the wheel. Just as iron fillings was differed in the clay, so also the effect it has on the throwing ability of the body as regard plasticity. If iron fillings is too much in the body, it becomes difficult and sometimes injurious to work on.