Tests

99 pages

• % < 0.5 microns - L5ML5M - % < 0.5 microns Test The percentage of a material powder whose absolute particles are smaller than 0.5 microns. Variables VAL - Value (V) Related Information Videos Links Tests Average Particle Size (Microns) Tests % < 10 microns…
• % < 1 micron - L1ML1M - % < 1 micron Test The percentage of a material powder whose absolute particles are smaller than 1 micron. Variables VAL - Value (V) Related Information Videos Links Tests Average Particle Size (Microns) Tests % < 10 microns Glossary…
• % < 10 microns - L10ML10M - % < 10 microns Test The percentage of a material powder whose absolute particles are smaller than 10 microns. A root-of-two series of test sieves This picture has its own page with more detail, click here to see it. The coarsest…
• % < 2 microns - L2ML2M - % < 2 microns Test The percentage of a material powder whose absolute particles are smaller than 2 microns. Variables VAL - Value (V) Related Information Videos Links Tests Average Particle Size (Microns) Tests % < 10 microns…
• % < 20 microns - L20ML20M - % < 20 microns Test The percentage of a material powder whose absolute particles are smaller than 20 microns. A root-of-two series of test sieves This picture has its own page with more detail, click here to see it. The coarsest…
• % < 30 microns - L30ML30M - % < 30 microns Test The percentage of a material powder whose absolute particles are smaller than 30 microns. Variables VAL - Value (V) Related Information Videos Links Tests % < 20 microns Got a Question? https://digitalfire.com
• % < 5 microns - L5L5 - % < 5 microns Test The percentage of a material powder whose absolute particles are smaller than 5 microns. Variables VAL - Value (V) Related Information Videos Links Tests % < 10 microns Got a Question? https://digitalfire.com
• % Passing 200 Mesh Wet - P200P200 - % Passing 200 Mesh Wet Test 200 mesh is a critical line coarser than which materials intended for porcelains should not have particles, especially if they are speck producing. Variables VAL - Value (V) Related Information Videos…
• % Passing 325 Mesh Wet - P325P325 - % Passing 325 Mesh Wet Test LSTM-09 In production situations where glazes or other products are ball milled beyond the standard 200 mesh (74 microns) size of many production raw materials, this test is an excellent indicator of…
• +44 and +63 Micron Residue - 44MR44MR - +44 and +63 Micron Residue Test The particle size of glaze and body slips are checked for residue on 44 and 63 microns (this test is done in all factories in the tile industry, for example). This measurement has proven practical for…
• 300F:Ice Water Crazing Test - IWCTIWCT - 300F:Ice Water Crazing Test Most people do not have a dilatometer so they must test the susceptibility of their glazes to crazing by simple observation. Such methods may actually have more value since it can be difficult to link…
• Apparent Porosity - APPOAPPO - Apparent Porosity Test This measurement is commonly used in evaluating limestone rock, for example. However it can apply to ceramics for aggregate materials. The figure provides some basis to compare the density of the aggregate…
• Apparent Viscosity (cps) - AVSCAVSC - Apparent Viscosity (cps) Test This figure is only relative if the materials being compared are mixed and diluted the same way. Specify solids content. Viscometers produce values in units known as a centipoise or cps. Variables VAL -…
• Average Particle Size (Microns) - AVPSAVPS - Average Particle Size (Microns) Test Particle size analysis falls into two categories: Ultimate and physical. Physical particles are those we can measure using ordinary sieves . Ultimate particles , in the micron range, require the…
• Boiling Water:Ice Water Glaze Fit Test - BWIWBWIW - Boiling Water:Ice Water Glaze Fit Test This test subjects the clay:glaze interface to a differential thermal stress of 180 degrees F (100C) both hot-to-cold and cold-to-hot (the former accelerates crazing and the latter shivering .…
• Borate LOI - BLOIBLOI - Borate LOI Test The LOI on borate materials is difficult to measure because they have mechanical and crystal water and the temperature to heat samples to to remove only the former is difficult to assess. Thus, the test is done this…
• Bulk Density g/cc (Packed) - BDGCBDGC - Bulk Density g/cc (Packed) Test ASTM-357 The measurement is done on the powdered material after settling . See ASTM C-29 Apparatus: 1. Glass graduated cylinder 50 ml 2. Thin piece of rubber sheet Procedure: Place rubber sheet on the…
• Bulk Density lbs/cu. ft. (Packed) - BDLBBDLB - Bulk Density lbs/cu. ft. (Packed) Test The measurement is done on the powdered material after settling (settling is accelerated in the test procedure). See ASTM C-29 Use the same procedure as the g/cc bulk density test, however…
• Carbon content - CCONCCON - Carbon content Test The carbon content of a clay is very important to determine appropriate uses in production. The size of the carbon is also critical, some applications can tolerate finely ground carbon. Variables VAL - Value (V)…
• CEC (meq/100g) - CECCEC - CEC (meq/100g) Test Cation Exchange Capacity is related to the electrical activity on particle surfaces, it is thus a measure of a materials response to deflocculants, therefore its ability to be deflocculated into a slurry . Cation…
• Clay Water Content - Powder, Plastic - CLWCCLWC - Clay Water Content - Powder, Plastic Test Variables WPOW - Water Content Powder (V) This figure is measured, calculated, and supplied by production. It is expressed as a percent of the damp weight, and is calculated by weighing a…
• Clay, Silt, Sand Sedimentation Test - CSSSCSSS - Clay, Silt, Sand Sedimentation Test Use this test to make a rough characterization of materials that are a mix of sand, clay and silt. This test produces numbers that are quick to compare. Each of these particle types are also…
• Co-efficient of Linear Expansion - COLECOLE - Co-efficient of Linear Expansion Test Most solids expand as they are heated. This expansion occurs in microscopically small amounts and can be observed along a line (linear), across an area and volumetrically. Since ceramics are…
• Cold Over Boiled Porosity - COVBCOVB - Cold Over Boiled Porosity Test Clay products both structural and artistic which will be used out-doors must be able to survive the stresses of freeze-thaw. Porous ceramics absorb water and freezing temperatures which cause this…
• Compressive Strength - CMSTCMST - Compressive Strength Test MPa (psi x 103) For example, a firing alumina body might have a value of 2100 (300). Related Information Videos Links URLs http://www.astm.org/Standards/C773.htm ASTM-C773 Crushing Strength Got a Question?…
• Decomposition Temperature - DTMPDTMP - Decomposition Temperature Test While the ultimate decomposition achieved in ceramics is melting, many materials change their physical form in other ways prior to melting when they reach certain temperatures (i.e. the loss of crystal…
• Deflocculation Demand - DFDMDFDM - Deflocculation Demand Test Refers to the percentage of deflocculant required to bring a slurry to a specific degree of flow and a specific density. For example, a data sheet might specify: "Measured at 305 degrees TTV, fitted with…
• Density (Specific Gravity) - DENSDENS - Density (Specific Gravity) Test This is the density of the actual mineral solid, not the weight of the bulk material powder. This is obvious if this value is being quoted for a mineral but can be confusing if it is for a powder.…
• Density, loose packed (lbs/cu fut) - DNLPDNLP - Density, loose packed (lbs/cu fut) Test The measurement is done on the powdered material before settling . Units are pounds per cubic foot. Variables VAL - Value (V) Related Information Videos Links Tests Bulk Density lbs/cu. ft.…
• Dielectric Strength - DIELDIEL - Dielectric Strength Test ac-kV/mm (acV/mil) Related Information Videos Links URLs http://www.astm.org/Standards/D116.htm ASTM-D116 Dielectric Strength Got a Question? https://digitalfire.com
• Dry M.O.R. (50% Silica) - MOR5MOR5 - Dry M.O.R. (50% Silica) Test This is expressed in default units of psi (lb/square inch) and the clay material being tested is mixed with 50% silica . This is done with ball clays since their high plasticity cracks test bars during…
• Dry Strength (kgf/cm2) - DSDS - Dry Strength (kgf/cm2) Test Dry strength is measured by supporting a bar on two points and applying an increasing force from above at the mid point until failure occurs. A formula into which the span, force and diameter of the bar are…
• Dry Strength (Square Bars) - DSTRDSTR - Dry Strength (Square Bars) Test Formula for derice pounds per square inch tensile strength: (3 * F * S) / (2 * W * D * D) Where F = Force in lbs necessary to break the bar S = Span in inches W = Width of bar at break in inches D =…
• Dry Strenth (Round Bars) - DSRNDSRN - Dry Strenth (Round Bars) Test We have not included procedural records for this definition. See the CDRY and SAWL test for examples. In industry, where articles are handled by machines, it is important to have high green strength .…
• Drying Factor - DFACDFAC - Drying Factor Test The DFAC test enables comparing the drying performance (resistance to cracking) of clays. It does this by speed-drying of a 12 cm by 5 mm thick rolled clay disk having a 6 cm metal disk placed on its center (the…
• Drying Factor/Water Content/Solubles - CDRYCDRY - Drying Factor/Water Content/Solubles Test This test is suitable for keeping a record of drying performance , firing specks, and soluble salt deposit trends in a production body at a ceramic ware manufacturing facility (i.e. at a…
• Drying Shrinkage - DSHRDSHR - Drying Shrinkage Test Specify the % water content . This is normally based on plastic length, thus to calculate: ( plastic size - dry size ) / plastic size * 100 It is easiest to make bars with a 100mm mark. Then the shrinkage is…
• Elastic Modulus, 20 degrees C - EM20EM20 - Elastic Modulus, 20 degrees C Test Units: GPa (psi x 106) Often used on electronic grade ceramics and alumina ceramics. For example an alumina body might have a value of 300 (45). Related Information Videos Links URLs…
• Engobe Body Compatibility Test - EBCTEBCT - Engobe Body Compatibility Test Engobes need to be as compatible with the body in drying, firing and thermal expansion compatible as possible. Engobes are body-like, they do not melt, they are not glazes. That means they have a less…
• Fired Strength Round Bars - FRRDFRRD - Fired Strength Round Bars Test This property is vital for many types of fired ware (i.e. functional tableware). This test can be difficult and time consuming, however it is quite helpful in determining a clays optimal firing…
• Fired Strength Square Bars - FSTRFSTR - Fired Strength Square Bars Test See fired strength test for round bars for more information. Fired strength tester This picture has its own page with more detail, click here to see it. Round or square fired bars are subject to a…
• Firing Shrinkage - FSHRFSHR - Firing Shrinkage Test A percentage value that represents the dry-to-fired shrinkage of a ceramic body. Typically a body is fired to a range of temperatures, each is specified with its shrinkage value. For a comprehensive test to…
• Fracture Toughness - FRTGFRTG - Fracture Toughness Test Units: Mpa m 1/2 Fractures occur when a solid ceramic is broken into pieces as a result of stress. Failure occurs first by crack formation and then by crack propagation. Brittle fracture cracks propagate…
• Frit Fusibility Test - FRFUFRFU - Frit Fusibility Test This is done by preparing a small cylinder of powdered frit and firing it and comparing the fusibility and opacity with a similar cylinder prepared from the standard frit. A frit softens over a wide temperature…
• Frit Melting Range (C) - MLRGMLRG - Frit Melting Range (C) Test This refers to the range at which a glassy material softens and finally melts ( crystalline materials melt at a definite temperature, glasses do not). Frit manufacturers quote Fusion temperature and Flow…
• Frit Softening Point - GSPTGSPT - Frit Softening Point Test This almost always refers to frits which soften and melt over a fairly wide temperature range (most raw materials melt over a much narrower range). The softening point is the temperature at which the…
• GE Brightness - GEBRGEBR - GE Brightness Test LSTM-14 test method. This is quoted on talc and kaolin data sheets, for example. It is not generally of ceramic interest. Variables VAL - Value (V) Related Information Videos Links Typecodes Material Tests Test…
• Glass Transition Temperature - GTTMGTTM - Glass Transition Temperature Test This is quoted for ceramic frits and is derived from the graph produced by a dilatometer. The line (representing increasing thermal expansion ) climbs steeply as temperature increases. When the…
• Glaze Body Bond Test - GBBTGBBT - Glaze Body Bond Test In pottery, porcelain and ceramics the body-glaze interface must be well developed for functional ware. This bond is often a matter of consequence at higher temperatures but at lower ones it must not be taken…
• Glaze Hardness - GLHDGLHD - Glaze Hardness Test If glazes are underfired or have an unbalanced formula (i.e. lack silica :alumina) they can be soft enough to 'cutlery mark', that is, scratchor mark by metal instruments. Glaze Hardness Testing Procedure Method…
• Glaze Leaching Test - GLLEGLLE - Glaze Leaching Test All glass leaches to some extent when it comes into contact with water (or acids and bases), especially if the contact occurs over a period of time or the liquid is hot. This is evident by a change in the gloss…
• Glaze Melt Flow - Runway Test - GLFLGLFL - Glaze Melt Flow - Runway Test Melt fluidity is very difficult to judge from simple observations on glazed ware or samples. Knowing the melt fluidity of a glaze is very important in maintaining consistency, duplicating and…
• Glaze Melt Fluidity - Ball Test - GBMFGBMF - Glaze Melt Fluidity - Ball Test Make the test balls by pouring a little glaze on a plaster table . It should dewater in a minute or two. Scrape it up using a rubber rib and flatten it down again (wet side down). Wait half a minute,…
• Glaze Observations - GLAZGLAZ - Glaze Observations Test This test could be used maintain the slurry and fired properties of a production glaze. It does not require advanced equipment and produces a set of numbers that can quickly be compared with another batch or…
• Hardness (Microindentation) Test - HDMIHDMI - Hardness (Microindentation) Test This test measures hardness by making an indent in a material and measuring it. The following is from http://www.instron.us: A diamond indenter produces an elongated diamond shaped indent. Knoop…
• Hardness (Moh) - HMOHHMOH - Hardness (Moh) Test Variables VAL - Value (V) Related Information Videos Links URLs http://www.24carat.co.uk/hardnessmohsscale.html Moh Hardness in Mineralogy & Gemmology URLs http://www.gordonengland.co.uk/hardness/mohs.htm…
• Heating Microscope Analysis - HMANHMAN - Heating Microscope Analysis Test Heating microscopes are used for studying the softening of the materials as they melt (especially frits ). It is employed to determine the characteristic softening, sphere, half-sphere, glass…
• Heating Microscope Analysis for Frits - HMAHMA - Heating Microscope Analysis for Frits Test Information found at http://www.reimbold-und-strick.de/ This test is important in the assessment of materials for use in glass ceramics . The heating microscope describes the melting of…
• Hegman Fineness - HEGFHEGF - Hegman Fineness Test LSTM-17 test method. This is quoted on talc and kaolin data sheets, for example. Here is a good description of the method from gardco.com: In its simplest conception, a Fineness of Grind Gage may be considered…
• I.F.P. (celsius) - IFPIFP - I.F.P. (celsius) Test This is quoted in frit data, however we are not sure what it means yet. It could be: Point of transformation (TP) The beginning of softening (DEB) for a heating rate of 10°C/min. The measuring is carried out on…
• Index of Refraction - XREFXREF - Index of Refraction Test A measure of the amount of refraction that it takes when light passes from one medium to another. Variables VAL - Value (V) Related Information Videos Links URLs…
• Liquid Limit - LQLMLQLM - Liquid Limit Test Quoted on bentonite data sheets. The liquid limit is the water content above which the clay shows liquid behavior (essentially no shear strength). It is generally done as part of soil analysis and is related to…
• LOI (100-1000C) - LOILOI - LOI (100-1000C) Test ASTM-20 The weight lost by a ceramic compound during firing. The loss is due to water and organic materials that turn to gases. It is assumed the sample has been boil dried. Some labs also do 25-100C LOI . For a…
• LOI/Density/Water Content - LDWLDW - LOI/Density/Water Content Test This test is most valuable to measure the water content of wet clay samples. Knowing water content is especially important when doing SHAB tests. This is because, while drying shrinkage is dependent…
• Median Particle Size (Microns) - MDPSMDPS - Median Particle Size (Microns) Test A quick way of deciding if a clay is coarser or finer than another. The is the micron size when 50% of the clay is finer and 50% is coarser. Variables VAL - Value (V) Related Information Videos…
• Modulus of Rupture - Dry - MORDMORD - Modulus of Rupture - Dry Test Modulus of Rupture refers to the resistance of a ceramic bar to breaking when supported on two points and subjected to an increasing force at its midpoint. Default units are psi, otherwise specify. For…
• Modulus of Rupture - Fired - MORMOR - Modulus of Rupture - Fired Test See fired strength tests for information. Can be expressed in lbs/square inch, p.f.s.i., kgf/cm2, or MPa. See Modulus of Rupture with Silica also. Variables VAL - M.O.R. (V) Related Information Videos…
• Moisture Content - Powder - MOIPMOIP - Moisture Content - Powder Test This refers to the water content of mineral powders as delivered from the manufacturer. This is often stated as a maximum value. Over time during storage, this will of course change according to the…
• Oil Adsorption (Spatula) - OLADOLAD - Oil Adsorption (Spatula) Test The oil adsorption of a powders (usually pigments) is defined as the number of grams of linseed oil absorbed by 100 gms of the powder. Thus this test is a measure of the ability of a powder to hold onto…
• Particle Shape (1-7 microns) - PSHPPSHP - Particle Shape (1-7 microns) Test The properties of a powder are determined by particle size, distribution of size, surface chemistry , physics and electrolytics, and particle shape. Shape might be thin flat plate, amorphous ,…
• pH (pugged clay) - pHPGpHPG - pH (pugged clay) Test A measure of hydrogen ion concentration. This test is only comparative if samples have the same solids percentages and are prepared the same way. If this number is quoted it should specify the % solids in the…
• pH for dry powder - pHPWpHPW - pH for dry powder Test pH is not a characteristic of powders, but pH of powdered materials is specified as a value @ a specific percentage of solids (e.g. 5%). Apparatus 1. 125 ml glass stoppered flask 2. Glass beaker 100 ml. 3. PH…
• Poisson's Ratio - PRSMPRSM - Poisson's Ratio Test ASTM states: "This test method covers the determination of the elastic properties of ceramic whiteware materials. Specimens of these materials possess specific mechanical resonance frequencies which are defined…
• Pugged Body Properties Overview - PBPOPBPO - Pugged Body Properties Overview Test This test is intended to record observations about the general quality of an extruded clay body that is going to be packaged and sold for use in pottery and industry. This test recognizes the…
• Pyrometric Cone Equivalent - PCEPCE - Pyrometric Cone Equivalent Test ASTM C24 -01 Pyrometric Cone Equivalent is measured by making a cone of the material and firing it until it bends to 3 oclock. The cones are the size of small orton kiln-sitter cones and they are set…
• Pyroplastic Deformation - PPDPPD - Pyroplastic Deformation Test A clay's 'hot plastic strength', resists the tendency to deform in the kiln. Hot stage microscopes are used for this type of assessment. However, rather than an absolute measurement, often all that is…
• Reheat Change - RCRC - Reheat Change Test This test is shown on data sheets for materials where thermal expansion is a critical part of their performance. It refers to the % volume increase for a particular temperature. Sometimes a bulk density figure will…
• Rheology of a Ceramic Slurry - RHEORHEO - Rheology of a Ceramic Slurry Test This test collects data about the physical properties related to the rheology of a ceramic slurry . Procedures have not been written yet, this is an outline of the theory and it is generalized to…
• Shrinkage/Absorption Test - SHABSHAB - Shrinkage/Absorption Test The SHAB test measures the shrinkage of a dried clay material and the shrinkage/porosities of its fired form across a range of temperatures. The data produced relates to its use in ceramics . This test…
• Sieve Analysis 35-325 Wet - SIEVSIEV - Sieve Analysis 35-325 Wet Test This is a good standard test to measure physical particle size distribution in clay bodies and materials (not ultimate particles ). Wet sieving is more reliable than doing a dry sieve analysis (at…
• Sieve Analysis Dry - SADRSADR - Sieve Analysis Dry Test A set of numbers representing the percentage of dry material particles retained on each sieve in a stack of interlocked sieves with successively finer openings. The stack of sieves is vibrated in a shaker…
• Sieve Analysis Wet - SVWTSVWT - Sieve Analysis Wet Test Also called " Sieve Analysis Water Washed". A set of numbers representing the percentage of material particles retained on each sieve in a stack of interlocked sieves with successively finer openings. The…
• Simple Clay Evaluation - SCLESCLE - Simple Clay Evaluation Test It is not nearly as important to know the chemistry of materials for use in clay bodies as it is to know about their physical properties . Anyone can evaluate a clay material and produce a report that can…
• Simple Shrinkage/Absorption - SSABSSAB - Simple Shrinkage/Absorption Test A shrinkage only version of the SHAB test . Variables Cone - Cone (V) A cone decimal representation of the cone value. DRLN - Dry Length (V) A measurement in decimal inches FRLN - Fired Length (V) A…
• Solubility - SLBYSLBY - Solubility Test Variables VAL - Value (V) Is it soluble in water, what is it soluble in? Related Information Videos Links Typecodes Material Tests Test conducted primarily on materials use to make bodies or glazes. Got a Question?…
• Soluble Salts - SOLUSOLU - Soluble Salts Test The effectiveness of this barium addition has traditionally been tested by decanting some water from a thin clay/water slurry that has been allowed to settle overnight. A few drops of barium chloride added to this…
• Specific Heat Capacity - SPHCSPHC - Specific Heat Capacity Test J/kg*K For example, for high alumina ceramic the value might be: 900 Related Information Videos Links URLs http://www.astm.org/Standards/E1269.htm ASTM-E1269 Specific Heat Capacity Got a Question?…
• Surface Area (m2/gm) - SAMGSAMG - Surface Area (m2/gm) Test A measurement of the total surface area of all particles in a specific amount of powder. It can refer to external surface or all surfaces and should be specified. Variables VAL - Value (V) Related…
• Tensile Strength, 25 degrees C - TNSTTNST - Tensile Strength, 25 degrees C Test MPa (psi x 103) ACMA Test #4 An alumina body might have a value of 190 (30). Related Information Videos Links URLs http://www.astm.org/Standards/C1366.htm ASTM-C1366 Tensile Strength Got a…
• TGA - TGATGA - TGA Test This test measures weight changes in a material as it is heated and provides a convenient method for characterizing the decomposition process in inorganics. The test results are plotted on an x-y graph as temperature vs.…
• Thermal Conductivity, 20 degrees C - THCOTHCO - Thermal Conductivity, 20 degrees C Test Wm degrees K Thermal conductivity is defined as the quantity of heat (Q) transmitted through a unit thickness (L) in a direction normal to a surface of unit area (A) due to a unit temperature…
• Thermal Shock Failure - TSFLTSFL - Thermal Shock Failure Test This imposes a flame on the center of a tile and reports the amount of time until it cracks and the fired size. If rolled from plastic clay, the tile is made to be 3 inches square and 3/16 thick. Flame…
• Trace Elements (ppm) - TRELTREL - Trace Elements (ppm) Test Refers to things like arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, selenium, etc. that are not expressed in the chemical analysis of a ceramic. Most ceramic raw materials are earthy substances and thus contain a wide…
• Trace Minerals - TRMNTRMN - Trace Minerals Test Variables VAL - Value (V) Just list them, amounts are not usually specified Related Information Videos Links Tests Trace Elements (ppm) Glossary Mineralogy Raw ceramic materials are minerals or mixtures of…
• Ultimate Particle Size Distribution - UPSDUPSD - Ultimate Particle Size Distribution Test This refers to ultimate particle size, it cannot be measured by using sieves , the units are microns. Testing equipment or a water sedimentation method must be used. Typically it is expressed…
• Water absorption - WABSWABS - Water absorption Test An indicator of the density and therefore degree of vitrification of a fired clay body . Typically a body sample is fired at a range of temperatures and absorption measurements are done on each to produce a…
• Water of Plasticity - WOPLWOPL - Water of Plasticity Test This value indicates the degree to which the material will add plasticity to a body. In pottery this number indicates the amount of water a clay body needs to pug it to comfortable plasticity and…
• Wet Sieve Residue - WSRWSR - Wet Sieve Residue Test A simple test of making a visual observation of how much residue, typically from a 50 or 100 gram powder sample, remains on a testing sieve after washing through a slurry of the material. This is almost always…
• Whole Rock Analysis - WRAWRA - Whole Rock Analysis Test This is simply a chemical analysis of a ceramic material . Enter the data provided by the lab. Variables Ba - BaO (V) Percent Ca - CaO (V) Percent Mg - MgO (V) Percent Sr - SrO (V) Percent Li - Li2O (V)…