Clay glossary

A measure of the water a material can absorb, by soaking the material under specified conditions.

Used as a masking medium for application to areas on which no glaze is required.

A method of de-airing and dispersing moisture uniformly by hand in a piece of clay. The lump of clay is repeatedly thrown hard onto the work bench, turned over and occasionally cut through and re-joined.

A substance which when added to a liquid reduces its surface tension and causes the liquid to wet surfaces more efficiently.

Ripples or waves on the outside surface of a cast body caused by variations in the casting rate and excessive fluidity in the casting slip.