The Production Process Of Bone China

Bone china is a type of porcelain that is made from a mixture of bone ash, feldspar, kaolin and quartz. The production process of bone china involves several stages, including:

1. Mixing and Grinding: The raw materials including bone ash, feldspar, kaolin, and quartz are pounded into a fine powder. This powder is then mixed with water to form a slurry.

2. Molding: The slurry is poured into molds that are shaped into the desired shapes. The excess water is drained off, and the molds are left to dry for a few hours.

3. Greenware: The dried molded shapes are taken out of the molds and are left for another day or two to dry further. This stage is known as greenware.

4. Firing: The greenware is then fired at a temperature between 1200°C and 1300°C for several hours to harden and strengthen the material.

5. Glazing: A glaze consisting of a mixture of clay and mineral compounds is applied on top of the fired bone china. The glaze is then fired at a lower temperature, usually around 1000°C.

6. Decorating: Once the glaze has cooled, the bone china can be decorated using various techniques such as hand painting, transfer printing, or decals.

7. Firing again: The decorated bone china is then fired again at a temperature between 800°C and 1000°C to fix the decoration.

8. Quality Control: Before being sold, the bone china undergoes rigorous quality control checks to ensure that it meets the required standards. These checks include visual inspections, hardness tests, and water absorption tests.

9. Packing and Shipping: Once the bone china passes quality control, it is packed and shipped to retailers or customers around the world.