While there are thousands of clay bodies available for purchase the 3 basics types are porcelain stoneware and earthenware.
Different types of clay for ceramics.
I have thrown with cone 5 porcelain 16 hagi porcelain and porcelain five.
There can be regional variations in the properties of raw materials used for the production of pottery and these can lead to wares that are unique in character to a locality.
The maturity temperature workability and color of these 3 categories can vary based on what is added.
Ball clays occur naturally as sediments or deposits containing very fine minerals.
When it comes to pottery or ceramics porcelain is known to be the most regal of all clay types.
Some are powered by hands or feet which spin the platter on which the clay sits.
Moist clay weighs a lot more than dry clay and this is reflected in shipping costs.
These porcelains are not the true porcelains but i still find them to be nice clays to throw with.
All three are available commercially in moist ready to use form.
There are many different types of potter s wheels in use.
Ball clays are the most plastic clays and contain very limited mineral impurities.
The other advantage of mixing your own is that you can use custom clay body recipes and modify them as desired.
Each of these different clays is composed of different types and amounts of minerals that determine the characteristics of resulting pottery.
They contain a large percentage of kaolinite and quartz with around 10 25 mica.
Others use treadles like the foot pumps seen on old sewing machines.
Mixing clay yourself offers a couple of advantages.