The effect of copper oxide addition and the heat treatment temperature on the microstructure of zinc containing soft porcelain crystal glazes

Abstract

In tableware industry, decorative appearance of final products is very important from the view point of attracting customers. Therefore, not only decoration patterns but also colouring is taken into account. In zinc containing soft porcelain glazes colouring agents like CuO produce different shades of colour and affect the final crystalline texture of the product. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) analysis showed that heat treatment temperature effect the formation of zinc crystals (willemite-Zn2SiO4 and gahnite-ZnAl2O4) and copper atoms were absorbed by both willemite and gahnite.