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Water And Different Clay Bodies


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If your clay is more porous, it will dry out faster. For me it is the seasons that influence drying, not the clay body.

If you need work for a show of other deadline, it seems to take forever to dry the pots.

TJR.

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Of the three, physical water is just that -- the water in our clay to start with. Will depend on how much the manufacture puts in for mixing, how much you put in while throwing, building, etc. Atmospheric water could likely affects how fast the clay water evaporates -- at least for the greenware to bisque stage. And physical water burns out/steams out by 212F. Chemical water is formed and burned out/steamed out as the clay is being fired and the various raw materials undergo changes in elemental composition due to the heat. Atmospheric water can likely come into play again post firing and depends on the final absorption rate of the clay body. Atmospheric water might help absorbed physical water (from dishwasher, etc) turn to mold, etc. on less vitrified wares.

 

Agree with TJR that biggest factor is seasonal humidity and temp affecting how fast wares dry. Made a large group of ikebana box-vases the other day. Thought I could leave them covered overnight to get to soft leather hard and then assemble. Weather/temp had other ideas and I spent all evening assembling th boxes. A few weeks earlier, it would have been no big deal leaving them overnight. But I'm not complaining about the nicer weather. Just have to make a seasonal adjustment in work flow.

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Different clays dry differently depending on their makeup. Porcelain dries quickly, because it is low in clay, which holds the water better than the other ingredients.

 

Pres, yes, the more humid the environment is, the higher the moisture content when a piece is bone dry. But I'm doubtful it's enough to require a different firing schedule unless it's really super humid, like it's in a root cellar with standing water on the floor, in which case a short preheat wouldn't hurt.

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