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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

10:53

Water conductivity and industrial processes

Apparently invisible. Chemistry in ceramics. ·

2025/09/15

The electrical conductivity of water is a key parameter in industrial production processes, as it reflects the amount of dissolved ions that can directly impact the stability and efficiency of operations.When conductivity levels go unchecked, they can compromise the quality of the final product, cause corrosion in equipment, or alter the reactivity of the materials used.In this episode, we explore why continuous monitoring is essential and what strategies companies adopt to keep conductivity within

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9:17

Chemicals for ceramic glazes: the grinding phase

Apparently invisible. Chemistry in ceramics. ·

2025/09/01

In this episode, we dive into the essential role of chemical additives used during the grinding phase of ceramic glazes—a crucial step that sets the stage for successful application on the glazing line. We focus on dispersants and binders, compounds that give the glaze the right balance of cohesion, stability, and flow. But there’s no one-size-fits-all solution here: the type of additive must be tailored to the specific application method, whether it's airless spraying, bell, or curtain coating.A

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17:23

Maintenance fluids and ceramic digital printers:...

Apparently invisible. Chemistry in ceramics. ·

2025/08/26

Digital printing has transformed the ceramic industry, opening the door to highly sophisticated, versatile, and customizable designs.At the core of this shift are ceramic digital printers—advanced machines that use inkjet technology to precisely apply both functional and decorative materials.While the focus is often on inks and printing performance, there’s another category of fluids working quietly behind the scenes: maintenance fluids.Though they don't directly impact the final aesthetic result,

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17:59

Temporary binders: functions and actions

Apparently invisible. Chemistry in ceramics. ·

2025/08/04

In the world of ceramics, temporary binders play a crucial role in improving the cohesion and workability of slips.These substances, often polymer-based, act on a chemical level by creating bonds between particles, increasing the mechanical strength of the mixture.In this episode, we explore what they are, how they work, and why they are essential in modern ceramic processes.

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19:02

Behind the scenes of innovation: exploring the...

Apparently invisible. Chemistry in ceramics. ·

2025/07/21

This episode takes inspiration from the thesis work of the Head of Research at Zschimmer & Schwarz Ceramco. The goal is not to focus on the specific topic explored in that study (in this case, the well-known issue of the "black core"), but rather to highlight the research methodology and the meticulous, in-depth work that takes place every day in the laboratories of chemical companies serving the ceramic manufacturing industry.Although it begins in an academic context, the process described

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17:11

Top glaze: what it is, what it is used for, and how...

Apparently invisible. Chemistry in ceramics. ·

2025/07/07

In the ceramic field, a “top glaze” refers to the glaze applied as the final layer onto the unfired ceramic substrate. This glaze can serve multiple functions, but it primarily protects the underlying decoration and imparts specific technical and aesthetic properties to the surface.This episode focuses on this particular class of glazes, taking a closer look at the key functions and rheological characteristics (among others) that the suspension must exhibit, depending on the chosen application

en

15:14

Chimic-A.I. – Chemistry Through the Eyes of...

Apparently invisible. Chemistry in ceramics. ·

2025/06/23

After more than fifty episodes exploring topics of general interest—always through the lens of chemistry and ceramic production—we’ve decided to have some fun.We posed a few simple questions to artificial intelligence, asking it to write a short text about chemistry with complete freedom to choose the themes and highlights.The result? Amusing, sometimes absurd—mostly accurate, but not always.As we know, Large Language Models (the technology behind AI’s ability to understand and generate text) can

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18:24

Melting materials and ceramic production: what they...

Apparently invisible. Chemistry in ceramics. ·

2025/06/09

Melting materials used in ceramics, often in glazes and digital glues, are capable of lowering the melting point of a material or compound, thus accelerating the sintering process.This action, which occurs through the breaking of the molecular structure of the compound (in our case, silica) by certain ions, affects several factors and must be carefully calibrated each time to achieve the desired result.Some of the areas influenced by this process include the grit application, the glossy or matte

en

18:21

Ceramic production and digital processes:...

Apparently invisible. Chemistry in ceramics. ·

2025/05/26

Industrial productivity is a top priority for any manufacturing enterprise, regardless of its field of operation.The ceramic industry, too, must adhere to rules and parameters that enhance productivity while avoiding any form of waste.However, process interruptions—representing the most extreme scenarios—can be triggered by numerous factors and can occur at various stages along the production line.Even the digital printing process, including all the micro-processes that occur immediately before and

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15:23

Reverse Osmosis: problems and solutions in water...

Apparently invisible. Chemistry in ceramics. ·

2025/05/12

Water is one of the most widely used natural resources in numerous applications and across various sectors of industrial production.For example, process water forms the basis of different production phases and ensures their proper development.However, not all waters are the same.Depending on its source, water can have very different properties, which may make it suitable or unsuitable for a specific process.In general, water quality is often a necessary precondition.For this reason, there are

en

20:08

Suspending agents: nature, function, and...

Apparently invisible. Chemistry in ceramics. ·

2025/04/28

Suspending agents belong to a broad category of additives whose primary purpose is to provide ceramic suspensions (slips, glazes, engobes, or frits) with good internal stability, counteracting potential sedimentation phenomena.Available in both liquid and solid forms, these products act within the suspension to ensure the right balance.There are various mechanisms that can be employed to properly maintain the solid phase of the mixture in suspension.Among these, the most significant are about

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14:58

Complexing agents and ceramic production: what they...

Apparently invisible. Chemistry in ceramics. ·

2025/04/14

Complexing agents are capable of catching multivalent cations present in suspension to prevent them from negatively affecting the ceramic process. They are responsible for one of the main mechanisms underlying the deflocculation process: complexation.Complexing agents (or chelating agents) are chemicals that bind to specific ions (such as calcium, magnesium, iron, etc.), forming stable complexes.This property allows them to "sequester" metals, making them less reactive or preventing their

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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...

en

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

en

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

en

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

en

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