Hi ducatista,
Scriptor, in his comment below, is correct. Porcelain *IS* a type of
ceramic. All porcelain is ceramic, but not all ceramic is porcelain!
If you look at a piece of fine china such as a delicate porcelain tea
cup, you can see that the density is greater than an inexpensive
ceramic coffee cup, that is lighter and more porous. Porcelain is much
harder to work with than ordinary ceramics because it has little
plasticity, and can crack and deform when fired.
Ceramics, as we see in less expensive dishes, cups, and knick-knacks,
is made of cheaper clays with little or no mineral content, giving a
more porous and less refined, and more prone to chipping.
Because porcelain was originally made in China, it often called
?China?. Porcelain is generally much higher priced than ceramics, as
it is made from two different ingredients, kaolin (a pure white clay
that is a product of broken down feldspar), and petuntse (yet another
kind of feldspar found only in China). Porcelain is fired at a much
higher temperature than ceramics, between 2280 _F (1250 _C) to 2640 _F
(1450 _C), or Cone 9 (if you are versed in Kiln)!
As it is fired, the clays vitrify; that is they fuse together forming
a nonporous natural kind of glass, with a somewhat translucent
appearance. When the proportions of the two clays are varied,
different types of porcelain are produced - hard paste type, soft
paste type and bone china. You?ve probably heard of bone china; this
is a mixture of porcelain clay and bone ash. Bone china is very
strong, and is more resistant to chipping than the other porcelains.
Ordinary ceramic is fired at much lower temperatures, contributing to
its porosity and higher risk of chipping.
http://www.artistictile.net/pages/Info/Info_Porcelain.html
http://www.thepotteries.org/types/porcelain.htm
http://www.hamgil.com/Bodies.html
http://www.claytimes.com/claybscs.htm
About bone china
http://www.thepotteries.org/types/bonechina.htm
When it comes to ceramic versus porcelain tile, this is what the Aztec
Tile Company has to say:
Porcelain or Ceramic..... What is the difference?
Ceramic Tile
Ceramic is nonporous, which makes it a highly stain resistant
decorative and building material. Ceramic can be fabricated to an
extremely high polish, matte, or textured finish. The beauty,
versatility, and durability of ceramic make it ideal for heavy traffic
commercial and residential installations.
Porcelain Tile
Porcelain has become very popular in recent years. Many types of
porcelain offer the appearance of natural stone without the
maintenance.
Porcelain has superior chip resistance making it stronger and more
durable in most cases than granite. Applications in high traffic areas
or kitchen countertops are no problem at all.
http://www.aztectilecompany.com/
?Ceramics are formed at temperatures above 800° C the process by which
a ceramic is formed is called vitrification. Differing styles of
ceramic are formed at different temperatures. Earthen ware is produced
with in a temperature range of 800° C to 1100° C and forms a white,
pink or grey pot. Stoneware is produced within a temperature range of
1200° C to 1280° C and forms a white or coloured pot which does not
have the density of porcelain. Porcelain is formed within a
temperature range of 1200° C to 1400° C, Porcelain is white, glassy
and very dense and if struck will ring with a high tone.?
http://www.boltonmedia.com/internationalporcelain/ip_produced.html
I hope this has helped you understand the difference between porcelain
and ceramic! If not, or if any part of my answer is unclear, please
request an Answer Clarification, before rating. This will allow me to
assist you further, if possible.
Regards,
crabcakes
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