Calcinated zinc oxide——Key raw material for improving the quality of ceramic glaze
Publish Time: 2025-03-17
calcined zinc oxideis indeed a key raw material for improving the quality of ceramic glaze, and its application in ceramic glaze is extensive and important.
1. Characteristics of calcined zinc oxide
Calcinated zinc oxide is a white or light yellow fine powder composed of amorphous or needle-shaped small particles, non-toxic and odorless. It is yellow at high temperature and returns to white after cooling, with a melting point of up to 1975°C. Calcinated zinc oxide is an amphoteric oxide that is easily soluble in acid, alkali, ammonium hydride and ammonia water. When stored in humid air for a long time, it will absorb water and carbon dioxide in the air to generate basic zinc carbonate.
2. The role of calcined zinc oxide in ceramic glaze
Fusing effect: Calcinated zinc oxide has a strong fluxing effect in glaze, which can reduce the expansion coefficient of glaze and improve the thermal stability of the product. It can also increase the gloss and whiteness of the glaze, improve the elasticity of the glaze, expand the melting range, and increase the brilliance of the glaze color.
Opacification: Adding zinc oxide to glazes with a high content of Al₂O₃ can improve the opacity of the glaze. Because ZnO can generate zinc spinel crystals with Al₂O₃, thereby improving the whiteness and opacity of the glaze.
Crystallization: In artistic glaze crystallization glazes, calcined zinc oxide is an indispensable crystallizer. When the molten glaze is rapidly cooled, it can form larger crystal patterns, giving the glaze a unique artistic effect.
Color adjustment: calcined zinc oxide is an important flux in cobalt sky blue glaze, which can make cobalt oxide form a beautiful sky blue in the glaze. It can also be used as a flux, filler, mineralizer and glaze carrier for ceramic pigments to improve the color effect and color brightness of the glaze.
3. Improvement of ceramic glaze quality by calcined zinc oxide
Improve the gloss and whiteness of the glaze: The addition of calcined zinc oxide can significantly improve the gloss and whiteness of the glaze, making ceramic products more bright and beautiful.
Enhance the elasticity and thermal stability of the glaze: By reducing the expansion coefficient of the glaze and improving the thermal stability, calcined zinc oxide can enhance the glaze's resistance to thermal shock and mechanical vibration, and reduce the cracking and peeling of the glaze.
Broaden the firing temperature range: The fluxing effect of calcined zinc oxide can broaden the firing temperature range of the glaze, so that ceramic products can obtain good glaze effects under a wider range of temperature conditions.
Improve the artistic effect of the glaze: In artistic glazes and crystallized glazes, the addition of calcined zinc oxide can form unique crystal patterns and artistic effects, and enhance the artistic value and ornamental value of ceramic products.
In summary, calcined zinc oxide plays an important role in ceramic glazes with its unique fluxing, opacification, crystallization and color adjustment properties. It not only improves the gloss and whiteness of the ceramic glaze, but also enhances the elasticity and thermal stability of the glaze, broadens the firing temperature range, and improves the artistic effect of the glaze. Therefore, calcined zinc oxide is one of the key raw materials for improving the quality of ceramic glazes.
