Earthenware

Includes clay biscuit vessels that are kneaded, shaped and fired at low temperatures (approx. 800℃ / 1,472℉). Typical examples include wares from Japan's Jomon Period (14,000 – 400 B.C.) and Yayoi Period (500 B.C. – 300 A.D.), as well as archaeological artifacts from the Middle East dating from around 6000 B.C. Modern uses include terracotta flowerpots, red bricks, stoves and water filters.

Pottery

Includes glazed ceramics fired at higher temperatures than earthenware (1,000 – 1,250℃ / 1,832 – 2,282℉), but which possess water absorption properties. Sue ware, Raku ware, Maiolica and Delftware are included in this family. Used in many modern products such as tea sets, tableware, vases and roof tiles.

Porcelain

Includes colorfully glazed, white ceramics hardened by forming and firing mixtures of high-purity clays (or pottery stones), silicas and feldspars. They were developed during China's Sui and Tang Dynasties (600 – 700 A.D.) and adopted worldwide. This family includes Jingdezhen ware, Arita ware and Seto ware. Widely used in modern tableware, insulators, arts & craftworks and exterior tiles.

Refractories

Able to withstand high temperatures: used in the construction of kilns for making iron, steel and glass.

Glass

Amorphous substance made by fusing and forming minerals such as silica, limestone and soda ash.

Cement

Fine powder made by mixing, firing and grinding minerals such as limestone and silica, which bind stone and sand through hydration to make concrete.

Engineered materials with chemical compositions that are precisely adjusted using refined or synthesized raw powders and well-controlled methods of forming, sintering and processing. With higher levels of functionality compared to conventional ceramics, they are widely used in fields such as semiconductors, automobiles and industrial machinery. Fine Ceramics are also called new ceramics or advanced ceramics.

Raw Material Details