For Students
There are a great variety of clays in the world, used since prehistoric times to make everything from utilitarian and ceremonial objects to decorative friezes, small figurines, and large-scale sculpture. The actual chemical deterioration of clay and ceramic ware, though possible, is usually slow. Nonetheless, ceramic remains a brittle material and one that is susceptible to dramatic and catastrophic damage by impact or stress loading beyond the material’s strength. Crystallization of soluble salts can result in serious damage to the ceramic structure and the decorative surface, especially if it is glazed. Soluble salts such as phosphates, nitrates (in soil and ...(100 of 14704 words)