Journal of Materials Science Research and Reviews

Experimenting with Domestic Sodium Bi-carbonates for Ceramic Glazing and Decoration

Aliu, Ebenzer Tayo *

Glass and Ceramics Technology, The Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.

Shado, Adeniyi Samuel

Glass and Ceramics Technology, The Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.

Adewusi, Faith Oluwaseun

Department of Industrial Design, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

---

Abstract

Ceramic glazes are a glassy layer of fused material over the surface of a clay-based product. Glazing is an important technique in the decoration and finishing of ceramic products. It is observed that glaze development is not widely practiced by most indigenous cottage ceramic practitioners in Nigeria due to reasons varying from high cost of importation of processed glaze raw materials, to lack of understanding of glaze chemistry that makes it impossible to exploit the local raw materials which exist in abundance. Even where the knowledge is available, the necessary equipment to process the glaze materials are capital intensive and unavailable. Hence this study was carried out to discover the feasibility of using a locally available, easily assessable materials in simple glaze development. This research focused on achieving ceramic glazing, using varying forms of bicarbonates of soda available in Nigeria, outside of the vapour glazing usually associated with soda glazing in ceramics which requires a dedicated kiln for such processes. The research outcome shows that 60% of baking soda mixed in volume ratio with ball clay and water will give a very good mid-temperature glaze when fired in both oxidized and reduced kiln atmospheres.

Keywords: Baking soda, ceramic decoration, ceramic glazes, ceramic practice in Nigeria, mid-temperature glazes, soda slip glazes

---

---

---

References

Singer F, Singer SS. Industrial ceramics. Chapman and Hall Ltd II New Fetter Lane, London; 1963;27-533.

Taylor, Bull. Ceramics and the society: The Creation and sustenance of better opportunities for the Nigerian ceramics in the Local and International markets. Ashakwu Journal of Ceramics; 1986;1(1):7.

Rado. Problems and prospects of standardizing ceramic materials in the studio. Ashakwu Journal of Ceramics. 1988;124.

Emmanuel Cooper, Derek Royle. Glaze for the student potters colours in ceramics. 2001;1(3)40-52. pp3-4. ISBN 0-7134-3292-6

Emmanuel, Derek. Illustrated Dictionary of Practical Pottery. London: Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, Inc. 2001;163.

Frank H. Pacifying transparent soda glaze. Ashakwu Journal of ceramics; 1975.

Behrens. Trends in Contemporary ceramics in Nigeria. Journal Environmental Studies; 1974.

Zamek. Effects of Silica/clay types and comparison on the properties on ceramic tiles. Journal of Raw Materials and Research. 1974;1(1):42-47.

Zamek. The ceramic industry: Changing life styles and patterns of consumption as they influence the philosophy of materials and design. Ashaku Journal of Ceramics. 1999;166.

Digitalfire Ceramics Technical Articles; 2021. Available:www.digitalfire.com

Colbeck J. Pottery materials: Their composition, preparation and use. London: BT Batsford Limited; 1988.