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"s" cracks. the flip side

updated tue 17 apr 01

 

iandol on mon 16 apr 01


The comments of Mudlark raised a belated thought in my mind which should =
=3D
have been tagged onto my previous post.
I am sure most of us have worked with clays which never needs to have =3D
all those things done because it is so sweet that it never ever cracks. =3D
How do we explain this? What does it contain which gives it such =3D
strength? Is there an ingredient which gives it the power to resist =3D
brittle tensile fracture? or one which increases in strength as water =3D
evaporates from the clay? Does it have sufficient plasticity as it =3D
passes from leather hard to dehydration to adjust without splitting? =3D
What is the discriminating or distinguishing factor?
I think knowledge of this nature would enable those who wish to make =3D
their own clay bodies take proactive action in designing their clay.
Best regards,
Ivor Lewis. Redhill, South Australia.