Whiteware

Definition- A term for ceramics products which are usually white and of fine texture.
Types of Whitewares
1. Earthenware- a semi-vitreous low fired dinnerware which is porous and non-translucent.
It has a soft glaze and fired in the range of 1800-2100 Fahrenheit
2. Chinawear- a vitrified translucent ware. It has an abrasion resistance coated with a
medium glaze.
3. Porcelain- a vitrified translucent ware. It has higher abrasion resistance than the china
ware and coated with hard glaze.
4. Stoneware- also known as a crude porcelain. One of the oldest ceramic wares.
5. Whiteware tiles- floor and wall tiles which are resistant to abrasion. Floor tiles may be
glazed or unglazed while wall tiles have a hard, permanent surface.
Properties:
Physical
Maturity: Water absorption (or porosity) is the most common measure of maturity. It is most
common to target zero-porosity. Fired shrinkage is also a good indication of maturity

Plasticity: Highly plastic porcelains can have up to 7% drying shrinkage

Drying Performance. Porcelains often tend to crack when drying, they do not have the green
strength of stoneware bodies and can have very high drying shrinkages
Thermal Shock Resistance. This refers to the fired clay's ability to withstand thermal gradients
(sudden changes in temperature to one part of a piece) without cracking.
Surface Character. The most pleasant surfaces are the most vitrified.
Chemical:

50% Kaolinite
25%Feldspar
25% Flint

Raw Materials:
1. Flint- (SiO2 ) It is also known as Silica Sand or Quatz. It provides an aggregate
framework for the fired matrix. A major raw materials in ceramics and refractories.
2. China Clay- (Al2O3.2SiO2.2H2O) It is also called as Kaolinite or Kaolin Clay. Secondary
geologic deposits. Primary source of aluminosilicates. Imparts plasticity and drying
hardness to the wet materials and transforms into a mesh of crystals during firing

3. Feldspar- (K2O.Al2O3.6SiO2) It acts as the fluxing agent to reduce melting temperatures

of aluminosilicate phases.The melting of the feldspar fills the voids between the silica
and clay particles and cements them into a strong mass.
Ratio of Raw Materials

Feldspar; 25%

China Clay; 50%

Flint; 25%

Major Chemical Reactions in the Process

Al2O3.2SiO2.2H2O

Al2O3 +2SiO2+2H2O

Al2O3.2SiO2.2H2O

3 Al2O3. 2SiO2+ SiO2+6 H2O

Manufacturing Process of Porcelain Tablewares

1. Mixing of Raw Materials- Proportioned raw materials were mixed inside the Hopper Bins
2. Blunging- water is added to clay mixture. It produces slurry after passing through the
Blunger
3. Filtration- Magnetic filter removes iron in the slurries because iron occurs so pervasively
in most clays and will impart undesirable reddish hue to the body if it oxidizes, removing
it before firing is essential
4. Pressing- It is used to remove water from the slurry and form a clay mass.
5. Jiggering- it is a term used for mechanical way of forming of clay mass into different
molds.
6. Bisque Firing- first firing of the molds without glaze. It is performed to remove excess
water and volatile components and to minimize shrinkage. Molds will be heated up to
650 degrees Celsius
7. Glazing- Applied to the ware by means of painting, spraying, dipping or pouring. Usually
contains alumina, silica and calcia.
8. Vitrification- The heart of the process which will heat the glazed wares into a 1500
degrees Celsius. The formation of glass, accomplished in this case through the melting
of crystalline silicate compounds into the amorphous, noncrystalline atomic structure
associated with glass.
9. Decoration- Designing the surface of the porcelain. This process is optional since not all
of the porcelain products have decoration.
10. Packaging- The porcelain is now packed and ready to be transported.

Companies
1. Philinco International Corporation
Cavite, Philippines
Decorated Dolomite and Porcelain Plates

2. CSM Philippines Inc.

Binan, Laguna
Assorted Porcelain Decorations

3. Currey International Inc.

Pampanga
Housewares

Equipment

Hopper Bin
Diameter: 21 ft Diameter
Height: 50 ft

Blunger
Diameter: 24 inches
Depth: 36 inches
Height: 50 inches

Magnetic Filter Conveyor

Width: 12 inches

Pug Mill
Height: 36 Inches
Width: 12 inches
Length: 36 inches

Jiggering Machine
Automatic
Height: 3.3 meters
Width: 2 meters
Length: 3 meters

Kiln
Height: 0.75 m
Width: 2.4m m
Length: 5m

Glazing Machine
Height: 1.5m
Width: 1m
Length: 2m

Plant Layout