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PODCAST

Apparently invisible. Chemistry in ceramics.

Zschimmer & Schwarz Ceramco

Aware of how complex the problems related to the world of chemistry applied to ceramic production processes can be, we want to share our knowledge with those who want to orient themselves or train for passion or profession.Through a simple and direct language, the podcast aims to be an educational space with a focus on products, applications and processes.The journey unfolds along the ceramic production lines.At each stage a topic.At each topic a critical issue.At each critical issue, when possible,

science chemistry

All Episodes

18:21

Relief surfaces and ceramic production (3D effects):...

Apparently invisible. Chemistry in ceramics. ·

2025/03/31

The topic of non-planar surfaces, which develop on multiple micro-levels and are sometimes improperly identified as 3D surfaces, plays a crucial role in giving ceramic surfaces not only a more natural appearance but also a broader and more extensive expressive potential.This is not a new requirement: it took its first steps with the help of traditional technologies, but it has found new momentum with the arrival of the latest digital techniques.The episode offers an overview of the main

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19:13

Preparatory stages of the digital printing process:...

Apparently invisible. Chemistry in ceramics. ·

2025/03/17

In the previous episode (#45) we discussed the technical aspects of digital printing systems in relation to ceramic bricks.This second part looks at the necessary preparatory work for the printing phase, going through the various steps involved in preparing a print file.Regardless of the media on which you will work.Some key words: standardized lighting, colorimeter, spectrophotometer, linearization, chart...

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19:16

Digital printing: opportunities and challEnges in...

Apparently invisible. Chemistry in ceramics. ·

2025/03/03

At present, in the heavy clay industry, products are decorated mainly by applying engobe with the aid of scattered granules or by means of reduction effects created by the firing process.These techniques are suitable to produce traditional products for the existing market. What added value does digital printing offer in this field?

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19:28

Operating temperature & ceramic production

Apparently invisible. Chemistry in ceramics. ·

2025/02/17

The operating temperature is an important parameter that ceramic producers must take into account in order to avoid application problems that can also negatively affect the quality of the finished product.However, this parameter is not always easy to manage, especially if we consider the fluctuations promoted by seasonability.The episode addresses the topic with the help of specific examples, highlighting the main scenarios and the different levers on which one can act to better manage the anomalies

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11:40

Chemicals for ceramic production: a focus on...

Apparently invisible. Chemistry in ceramics. ·

2025/02/03

Most ceramic production processes involve the dispersion of ceramic powders in a liquid medium - mostly water - to obtain a suspension or, more generally, a dispersed system.To provde the suspensions with the desired stability and workability, depending on the different applications, we use the addition of small quantities of suitable chemicals that, interacting with the solid particles, change the rheological behaviour of the whole system.The episode offers a picture of two categories of chemical -

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22:21

Analysis of ceramic suspensions: tools and purposes

Apparently invisible. Chemistry in ceramics. ·

2025/01/20

All analysis of ceramic suspensions carried out by those companies that supply chemicals for ceramic production are fundamental to properly develop the processes that take place along the production line.The episode provides an overview about the role of these important investigations, with a focus on the data and on the operations of the involved tools.We will talk about jars, pycnometers, laser granulometers, sieves, rheometers, pointing out how all these tools are important in providing ceramic

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13:52

Chemicals & seasonality: problems and suggestions

Apparently invisible. Chemistry in ceramics. ·

2024/12/23

After addresing the impact that seasonality can have on the the fluidization of ceramic mixtures and on bacterial proliferation within semi-finished products, this second part of the episode 41 tries to show and explain the consequences that temperature changes may produce on the drying time of ceramic suspension, leading to alterations that often force producers to revise the parameters of the glazing line.After offering the usual suggestions to handle the problem, the episode ends with a focus on

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20:21

Chemicals & seasonality: problems and suggestions

Apparently invisible. Chemistry in ceramics. ·

2024/12/10

In ceramics, the use of chemicals plays a fundamental role in providing the final product with high technical and aesthetic results and in promoting a proper application process.However, their actions can be sometimes less effective or compromised. There are several reasons for this performance change and seasonality is surely one of the most interesting.Through a series of examples, the episode addresses the actions that should be taken to prevent the temperature to negatively affecting both

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24:16

Glaze and grit suspensions: differences & similarities

Apparently invisible. Chemistry in ceramics. ·

2024/11/25

Glaze and grit suspensions are made up of a liquid part (usually made-up of water and one or more rheological chemicals) and a dispersed solid part.However, these two different suspensions show a lot of differences that may lead to very contrasting results, also implying a different approach about chemicals, both during the grinding phase and along the glazing line.From this point of view, all chemicals involved must be marked by specific features according their intened use. What do we need to know

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22:47

Cratering phenomena: what they are, how they develop...

Apparently invisible. Chemistry in ceramics. ·

2024/11/12

Cratering phenomena are defects that appear as microscopic craters on the surface of ceramic bodies on which an aqueous (and still drying) suspension has been discharged.It is an application problem that leads to a misalignment of the suspension due to the presence of one or more dips.The problem, that is already visible along the glazing line and not only after the firing process, may arise for several reasons: for example due to the presence of impurity within the ceramic raw materials or because

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12:41

Carboxymethylcellulose: what is it for & how to use it?

Apparently invisible. Chemistry in ceramics. ·

2024/10/28

CMC are organic compounds, water-soluble polymers derived from cellulose, widely used in several fields of industrial production. In ceramics, sodium CMCs perform multiple functions within suspensions and solutions and can be marked by very different properties depending on the situation.What is the main role of this substance in the ceramic production process, and what needs to be done to properly manage it?

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13:32

Plasticity of ceramic mixtures: values and...

Apparently invisible. Chemistry in ceramics. ·

2024/10/14

The plasticity values of ceramic mixtures is a very important issue, since it affects the values and features of the mix and therefore the proper development of the ceramic production process.In general, the use of clays marked by high plasticity values is usually synonymous with easier process management.However, high-performing clays are not always available and it is therefore important to keep in mind other production parameters, finding a balance or even good compromises.After a short

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13:57

How to improve the printing definition of digital inks?

Apparently invisible. Chemistry in ceramics. ·

2024/10/04

In ceramics, digital technology (use of digital glues and digital inks) has definitely riform the sector, making the production process much more flexible and expanding creative and aesthetic possibilities.The extraordinary precision with which the ink is discharged on the ceramic support, in fact, has opend to new extraordinary results.However, the topic "printing definition" must be addressed with great attention, being subjected to several variables that can affect the final product.What are

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19:56

Scanning Electron Microscope & ceramic production

Apparently invisible. Chemistry in ceramics. ·

2024/09/16

Scanning Electron Microscope is a sophisticated tool used in many fields of scientific research, even in ceramics.The use of an electron beam instead of light allows to get not only outstanding high resolution images but also detailed information on the composition of the sample.Insights are so accurate and exhaustive that offer manufacturers clear solutions or, at least, suggestions about the actions that should be taken to properly solve production critical issues.How does the tool work and what

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9:46

Sodium silicate & deflocculation of ceramic mixtures

Apparently invisible. Chemistry in ceramics. ·

2024/06/24

Sodium silicate is an inorganic substance that at room temperature it is in solid state.It is a chemical compound used in several areas of industrial production. In ceramics, sodium silicate is very effective within ceramic mixtures.Among the several effects it produces, it plays a very important role in terms of fluidization.The episode is about the function that this substance performs, highlighting its several properties and the benefits it promotes.With a focus on deflocculation of ceramic

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10:23

Ceramic firing cycle, emissions and chemism of...

Apparently invisible. Chemistry in ceramics. ·

2024/06/10

Polluting and odor emissions are two important critical issues that producers have been looking for some time with considerable attention.This is a problem that appears in the final stage of the ceramic production cycle, inside the kilns, but whose origin can be found in the previous application processes that mostly take place along the glazing line.Scenarios can be different but emissions are mostly produces by the use of digital glues and digital inks that, due to their particular chemism, can be

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10:27

Foam formation within ceramic glazes: how to deal...

Apparently invisible. Chemistry in ceramics. ·

2024/04/29

Among the several issues that may arise along the glazing line, the excessive foaming within glaze suspensions is one of the most frequent and problematic.The phenomenon is already visible on the surface of the glaze inside the stirring systems but consequences can persist even after the end of the production, that is after the firing cycle.Chemistry speaking, what is foam? What are the causes of its presence and what do we need to know to prevent its formation or to remove it in case of unexpected

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12:36

Ceramic glaze application & technical defects: the tv...

Apparently invisible. Chemistry in ceramics. ·

2024/04/15

Speaking of ceramic glaze applications and technical defects, one of the strangest and most interesting is the "TV effect".It consists of a preferential migration of the glaze towards the perimeters of the tile that produces in those areas a thickening of the glaze.The unaesthetic result is a quite regular surface swelling along the edge of the ceramic material. A result that recalls the old cathode-ray television sets and that may be visible even after the firing cycle.What is exactly the TV

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12:39

Excessive viscosity of the slip: causes & remedies

Apparently invisible. Chemistry in ceramics. ·

2024/04/01

Viscosity (or viscous friction coefficient) measures a substance attitude on generating friction between its layers. In other words, it defines the resistance of the fluid to its proper flow.The barbottina's viscosity values - that is the suspension of inorganic raw materials, water and dispersants that after the atomization process will form under the weight of the presses the raw ceramic body - can sometimes rapidly and suddenly change, and grow.In the event of an excessive or out of standard

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9:48

Glazes/engobes bacterial degradations: technical &...

Apparently invisible. Chemistry in ceramics. ·

2024/03/18

All process water involved in ceramic production, both tap and well waters, usually contains bacteria.And the same applies to inorganic raw materials used in the grinding process to produce the semi-finished products that will later be applied along the glazing line: frits, clays, feldspar, nepheline, etc. Because of the huge amount of water use, glazes and engobes grinding departments can sometimes be under the attack of significant bacterial proliferations.Microorganisms' activity (especially that

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