Apparently invisible. Chemistry in ceramics.

Ceramic grit binders are often regarded as simple fixing agents, but their role within the production process is far more complex.  In this episode, we explore how the management of rheology, particle suspension and application behavior directly influences the quality of the final result, and why the selection of a binder cannot be based solely on its adhesive strength. We trace the technological...

This episode addresses the control of bacterial contamination in ceramic processes, a factor that is often invisible yet crucial for the stability of compounds and the quality of the final product. In a production context characterized by the unavoidable presence of organic substances, bacteria can rapidly proliferate, altering rheological properties and causing application defects. The episode an...

Chemical product labelling plays a key role in ensuring safety and regulatory compliance across the entire industrial value chain. In this episode, we explore the European regulatory framework, focusing on how CLP, REACH and BPR interact, and how together they balance health protection, environmental safety and market access. We take a closer look at different product categories, highlighting thei...

This episode explores the technological development of temporary binders for the ceramic industry, starting from the TENACER range developed by Zschimmer & Schwarz. In today’s ceramic manufacturing environment—marked by large-format tiles, ultra-thin slabs, super white bodies with high glass content, and increasing variability in raw materials—maintaining the mechanical strength of the green b...

Zschimmer & Schwarz did not enter the water-based digital adhesives arena overnight; its position today is built on more than a decade of dedicated research, hands-on industrial testing, and continuous product refinement. In this podcast episode, we take a closer look at the AQUABOND range of water-based digital adhesives, exploring how the line has evolved, the technical principles behind it,...

The pivotal role of rheological additives in ceramic processes: how deflocculants and binders shape the stability, viscosity, and workability of ceramic suspensions. The discussion explores particle interactions, colloidal stability, the electric double layer, and the main electrostatic and steric stabilization mechanisms. The goal is to highlight how the right use of additives can optimize produc...

This episode provides a quick overview of the “black core” effect—an internal discoloration in porcelain tiles, typically caused by incomplete oxidation of the ceramic body due to trapped organic residues. It highlights the production conditions that make the defect more likely to appear and then outlines practical corrective strategies to prevent it. All in just ten minutes.

In ceramic manufacturing, aqueous suspensions play a crucial role in shaping processes and determining the final quality of products. However, foam formation can disrupt production, leading to defects and lower efficiency. This episode dives into the world of foaming phenomena, exploring how they arise and how they affect the properties of suspensions.  We discuss surfactants, which can encourage...

A closer look at one of the most common flaws that can affect both the performance and the appearance of ceramic glaze. In this episode, we break down the key causes, explain how they arise, and share practical ways to prevent them. For a deeper dive into the topic, check out episode #39.

What is rheology and what is it used for? This episode answers exactly these questions. Without delving into complex details, it presents a few key concepts to help navigate topics such as viscosity, material behavior, and process control. It’s a first step toward understanding the practical role of rheology in improving quality and production efficiency. In ten minutes.

Wettability is, in general terms, the property that describes a liquid's ability to adhere to a solid surface. It can also be understood as the process through which effective contact is established between a liquid and a solid. In some cases, solid surfaces exhibit low wettability—a characteristic that, while not inherently problematic, can lead to significant issues in the ceramic industry. When...

The electrical conductivity of water is a key parameter in industrial production processes, as it reflects the amount of dissolved ions that can directly impact the stability and efficiency of operations. When conductivity levels go unchecked, they can compromise the quality of the final product, cause corrosion in equipment, or alter the reactivity of the materials used. In this episode, we explo...

In this episode, we dive into the essential role of chemical additives used during the grinding phase of ceramic glazes—a crucial step that sets the stage for successful application on the glazing line.  We focus on dispersants and binders, compounds that give the glaze the right balance of cohesion, stability, and flow. But there’s no one-size-fits-all solution here: the type of additive must be...

Digital printing has transformed the ceramic industry, opening the door to highly sophisticated, versatile, and customizable designs. At the core of this shift are ceramic digital printers—advanced machines that use inkjet technology to precisely apply both functional and decorative materials. While the focus is often on inks and printing performance, there’s another category of fluids working qui...

In the world of ceramics, temporary binders play a crucial role in improving the cohesion and workability of slips. These substances, often polymer-based, act on a chemical level by creating bonds between particles, increasing the mechanical strength of the mixture. In this episode, we explore what they are, how they work, and why they are essential in modern ceramic processes.

This episode takes inspiration from the thesis work of the Head of Research at Zschimmer & Schwarz Ceramco. The goal is not to focus on the specific topic explored in that study (in this case, the well-known issue of the "black core"), but rather to highlight the research methodology and the meticulous, in-depth work that takes place every day in the laboratories of chemical companies serving...

In the ceramic field, a “top glaze” refers to the glaze applied as the final layer onto the unfired ceramic substrate.  This glaze can serve multiple functions, but it primarily protects the underlying decoration and imparts specific technical and aesthetic properties to the surface. This episode focuses on this particular class of glazes, taking a closer look at the key functions and rheological...

After more than fifty episodes exploring topics of general interest—always through the lens of chemistry and ceramic production—we’ve decided to have some fun. We posed a few simple questions to artificial intelligence, asking it to write a short text about chemistry with complete freedom to choose the themes and highlights. The result? Amusing, sometimes absurd—mostly accurate, but not always. As...

Melting materials used in ceramics, often in glazes and digital glues, are capable of lowering the melting point of a material or compound, thus accelerating the sintering process. This action, which occurs through the breaking of the molecular structure of the compound (in our case, silica) by certain ions, affects several factors and must be carefully calibrated each time to achieve the desired...

Industrial productivity is a top priority for any manufacturing enterprise, regardless of its field of operation. The ceramic industry, too, must adhere to rules and parameters that enhance productivity while avoiding any form of waste. However, process interruptions—representing the most extreme scenarios—can be triggered by numerous factors and can occur at various stages along the production li...

Water is one of the most widely used natural resources in numerous applications and across various sectors of industrial production. For example, process water forms the basis of different production phases and ensures their proper development. However, not all waters are the same. Depending on its source, water can have very different properties, which may make it suitable or unsuitable for a spe...

Suspending agents belong to a broad category of additives whose primary purpose is to provide ceramic suspensions (slips, glazes, engobes, or frits) with good internal stability, counteracting potential sedimentation phenomena. Available in both liquid and solid forms, these products act within the suspension to ensure the right balance. There are various mechanisms that can be employed to properl...

Complexing agents are capable of catching multivalent cations present in suspension to prevent them from negatively affecting the ceramic process.  They are responsible for one of the main mechanisms underlying the deflocculation process: complexation. Complexing agents (or chelating agents) are chemicals that bind to specific ions (such as calcium, magnesium, iron, etc.), forming stable complexes...

The topic of non-planar surfaces, which develop on multiple micro-levels and are sometimes improperly identified as 3D surfaces, plays a crucial role in giving ceramic surfaces not only a more natural appearance but also a broader and more extensive expressive potential. This is not a new requirement: it took its first steps with the help of traditional technologies, but it has found new momentum...

In the previous episode (#45) we discussed the technical aspects of digital printing systems in relation to ceramic bricks. This second part looks at the necessary preparatory work for the printing phase, going through the various steps involved in preparing a print file. Regardless of the media on which you will work. Some key words: standardized lighting, colorimeter, spectrophotometer, lineariz...