TEMPERATURA

50C-250C 80C - 250C 120C 150C 180C 185C 200C 250C - 370C 250-200C

TIPO
Decomposition Decomposition Decomposition Decomposition Decomposition Decomposition Decomposition Decomposition State Change

DESCRIPCION
Hygroscopic water removed in clay bodies Calcium Sulphate decomposition Borax Epsom salts decompose to lose water Boric Acid expels water Copper hydroxide decomposes to CuO Manganese Carbonate decomposed to MnO Organic burnout Cristobalite inversion (alpha/beta)

NOTES
Occurs during heat-up of bodies on first fire Water vapor is expelled. Many clays contain small amounts of calcium sulphate. It loses crystallization water. Above 180C it loses crystallization water and the oxide B2O3 melts at 300C. Loses about 18% weight as it decomposes to the heat stable CuO Release of carbon dioxide to give manganese(II) oxide: MnCO3 -> MnO + CO2 Organics are removed during first fire of ceramic bodies

Occurs in cooling clay bodies at 225C (an on heatup for vitrous ware being refired). It is accompanied by a sudden volume change. Cristobalite, a less stable form of crystalline quartz, can be present in the matrix of stoneware clays where sufficient fine quartz, time and temperature (above 1100C) are available during firing. The range of temperatures is given here because when there are variations in temperature in the cross section of ware changes in volume occur as waves across a piece and can crack it. Thus if one side of a piece is 250C and the other 200C, the inversion and associated volume change are happening in the center of the piece. Less cristobalite is formed in faster firings and in more vitreous clay bodies where the feldspar takes the small quartz grains into solution. 260C 300C - 330C Decomposition State Change Bismuth Subnitrate decomposes Copper carbonate basic decomposes Loses 28% weight as it decomposes to to the heat stable CuO At 180C Boric acid loses crystallization water and the remaining B2O3 melts at 300C. Thus this is the first material to enter the liquid phase in the fritting process. It has a strong reaction to the state change associated with water elimination at 400C. This happens on first fire of many bodies (sulfur is an impurity in many ball clays and related stoneware and earthenware raw clays). Chemical water is removed The process of removing the CO2 from magnesite to product light magnesium carbonate is called Magnesite Decarbonization.

300C 370-650C 400C

Melting Point/Range State Change Decomposition

Boron from Boric Acid melts Carbon / iron oxidation Colemanite reacts to water loss

425C - 650C 480C - 600C

Decomposition Decomposition

Sulfur evolution Dehydroxylation in clay bodies

500C - 600C 512C 535C

Decomposition Decomposition Decomposition

Magnesite decomposition Hydrated lime decomposes (25% H2O) Manganese dioxide decomposes to MnO

TEMPERATURA

TIPO

DESCRIPCION

NOTES

550C - 600C 650C - 900C

State Change Decomposition

Quartz inversion (alpha-beta) Dolomite decomposition

This term refers to an abrupt 2% change in volume that occurs in quartz crystals when they are heated from the room temperature stable alpha phase to the beta crystal phase that exists about 573C. It is referred to as an inversion because the process is reversed when the temperature falls back below 573C. Since the change occurs suddenly ware will crack if there are significant temperature differences across its cross section. For example, if one side of a piece is at 573 and the other at 600 at point A on a cooling curve, then as the piece cools the volume change will move horizontally across it and obviously start a crack at the first weakness it finds. In a way, quartz inversion can be beneficial because it can put the glaze under compression and thus prevent crazing. Dolomite reacts similar to calcium carbonate but its decomposition starts earlier.

750C - 1000C

Decomposition

Calcium carbonate decomposition

Converts to Quicklime. If burned higher or too long it converts to Dead burned lime. The decomposition process of this compound is quite complex and the subject of much discussion and research. Nilo Tozzi, an expert in tile manufacturing, says that 'calcium carbonate decomposes at about 880C when alone but when mixed into a ceramic body its decomposition starts at about 700C'. Clearly the decomposition can occur over a wide range and its rate is related to many factors (particle surface area, atmosphere, pressure, interactions with surrounding particles, density and thickness of the containing matrix). This makes this material highly suspect in glaze flaws related to the generation of gases from constituent materials in the glaze recipe. It may be advisable to source CaO from a frit or wollastonite if you have a problem. See the book Thermal Decomposition of Ionic Solids by Andrew K. Galwey, Michael E. Brown. Some data sheets (and Wikipedia) indicate that decomposition occurs at 1100C, the same as the melting temperature. Technical references are more specific, saying that decomposition can occur earlier in a purely oxidizing atmosphere. Occurs in a clay body during first fire

800C - 1100C 850C+ 850 - 950 850C 990C 1025 - 1325

State Change State Change Eutectic Decomposition Decomposition Decomposition

Strontium carbonate decomposition Sintering and densification Zinc oxide boils and volatilizes Sodium Carbonate decomposes Chrome oxide decomposes Copper Oxide breakdown

Decomposition occurs at melting point. CO2 and NaO are emitted. Copper becomes increasingly volatile and its crystalline structure breaks down

TEMPERATURA

TIPO

DESCRIPCION

NOTES
The mechanisms of decomposition for BaCO3, CaCO3 and SrCO3 are similar. Decomposition of this material can be a concern (relating to glaze defects, for example) if the powder is used in ceramic clay bodies and contains granular +200 mesh material. This temperature is from Thermal Decomposition of Ionic Solids by Andrew K. Galwey, Michael E. Brown CuCO3 -> CuO + CO2 7% weight loss involving partial loss of oxygen to form a mix of cuprous and cupric oxides Undergoes an irreversible phase transition to yield beta-spodumene. This is accompanied by an expansion of ~30% and a decrease in specific gravity from 3.2 to 2.4. After conversion to its beta form at spodumene enters a stage of great thermal stability.

1025C+ 1026C 1050C

Eutectic Decomposition Decomposition

Decomposition of Barium Carbonate Copper Carbonate decomposes to CuO Copper carbonate basic breakdown

1082C 1100C 1100C+ 1300C 1325C 1330C 1360C

State Change Melting Point/Range Eutectic Decomposition Melting Point/Range Melting Point/Range Melting Point/Range

Spodumene converts to beta phase Strontium carbonate melts Antimony volatilizes Li2O Decomposes Copper oxide melts Fluorspar melts Barium carbonate melts

Above 1025C copper becomes increasingly volatile and its crystalline structure breaks down, then it finally melts.

1380C 1418C - 1428C 1420C 1550C 1785C 1990C 2300C 2320C 2750F

Eutectic Melting Point/Range Melting Point/Range Melting Point/Range Melting Point/Range State Change Decomposition State Change Decomposition

Zircon melts, slowly dissolves Spodumene melts Talc melts Iron oxide red melts Manganese oxide me Chrome oxide melts Praseodymium oxide decomposes Neodymium oxide melts Kyanite decomposes to Mullite and Silica

It forms a liquid phase and zirconium oxide, but its solubility in the liquid phase is poor, during slow cooling it will recrystallize.

Associated specific gravity change from 3.6 to about 3.0.