A Practical Introduction to Material Science

Course Description

Summary

In a Practical Introduction to Material Science, students will be exploring the science of glaze and clay chemistry. This course is designed to enable students with the confidence to understand material science and to overcome any trepidation they may feel about glaze and clay formulation. Beginning with developing an understanding of the major components of a glaze or clay body and their origins and culminating with a self-directed final project that utilizes a custom clay body and unique glazes that are designed to fulfill the student’s choice of predetermined traits. Students will learn how to mix and test glazes and clay bodies and how to apply and fire glazes for the best results. Some of the subjects explored will be color and surface development, glaze lab health and safety, the effects of firing on glaze and clay outcomes, identifying and correcting glaze faults, making material substitutions, and exploring clay bodies. These objectives will be facilitated through testing, line blends, triaxial blends, and shrinkage and absorption tests. Contemporary studio practices will also be examined. The overarching goal of this class is to enable students with the technical knowledge to express themselves through ceramics coherently with a comprehensive understanding of the material. Students will have the opportunity to explore our materials through the three major firing temperatures; cones 04, 6, and 10. This course is intended for beginning and intermediate ceramic students.

Basic ceramic tools will be required.