Porslinkeramik

Porslinkeramik, in English often translated as porcelain ceramics, designates a class of hard, vitrified ceramics with a white, translucent body. It is distinguished by its high firing temperature, dense microstructure, and low porosity, which gives strength and a smooth glaze surface.

Composition and types: The typical body is made from kaolin (china clay), quartz, and feldspar. Hard-paste porcelain, the traditional form associated with Chinese porcelain, is fired around 1200–1400°C and can be translucent when thin. Soft-paste porcelain uses alternative recipes and lower firing temperatures, developed in Europe in the 18th century. Bone china is a later Eurasian variant that includes bone ash to improve whiteness and strength.

History and diffusion: Porcelain originated in China, with early examples dating to the Tang and Song dynasties. It spread to the Middle East and Europe through trade routes, prompting European manufactories such as Meissen and Sèvres to develop hard-paste and later bone china varieties.

Production and decoration: Modern porslinkeramik is produced by wheel throwing, slip casting, or moulding, followed by glazing and high-temperature firing. Surfaces may be plain, glazed, or decorated with underglaze or overglaze enamels, gilding, or appliqués. Durability depends on glaze integrity and firing quality; porcelain is known for its whiteness and, when thin, its translucency.

Applications and modern context: Today it is widely used for dinnerware, figurines, sanitary ceramics, and fine decorative objects. It remains a benchmark for lightweight, high-strength ceramic bodies, though production is energy-intensive and subject to sustainability considerations.