Glossary

In many cases, our ceramic glazes already contain a higher proportion of clayey components, which generally reduces the sedimentation behavior of the glaze slip (compared to pure frit glazes). Consequently, the addition of further suspending agents is not necessary or only necessary in specific cases.

 

The glazes for which the addition of a suspending agent is advisable are prevailing colourless transparent glazes and glossy white glazes. As products for this application, we recommend liquid suspending agents based on electrolytes, e.g. suspending agent ZS. These rheological additives are added to the glaze slip dropwise. This causes the glaze slip to thicken when it is idle, which prevents it from sedimentation.

 

Alternatively, it is possible to use organic suspending agents which, in contrast to the above-mentioned product, have a binder effect. With these combination products, the grip strength of the glaze is increased so that the goods can be handled better in the unfired state. However, the clayey components mentioned above have a comparable effect. Nevertheless, the increased use of glaze binders (and clay components) can also have disadvantages. A Too high proportion of these additives has the effect that the wet state of the glaze slip is increased and the associated formation of a glaze layer is too small. Consequently, the firing result is to be regarded as unsatisfactory due to the too thin layer of glaze applied (despite the thick glaze slip).