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Porcelain figurine which had been formed by slipcasting
Slipcasting allows the shaping of complex shapes, such as this toilet bowl
Pouring casting slip into a mould
Removing the last parts of a mould from a slipcast vase

Slip casting, or slipcasting, is a ceramic forming technique, and is widely used by commercial industry as well as contemporary fine artists as a way of making various ceramic forms. This technique is suitable for simple functional objects such as cups and plates, as well as more complicated shapes like figurative ceramics that would be difficult to be reproduced by hand or other forming techniques.[1] The technique involves a clay body slip which is essentially a liquid version of clay, usually prepared in a blunger, being poured into plaster moulds and allowed to form a layer, the cast, on the internal walls of the mould.

It is suited for the consistent and precise shaping of complex shapes.[2][3] It is the standard shaping technique for sanitaryware, such as toilets and basins, and is commonly used for smaller pieces like figurines and teapots.[4][5][6]

History

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The technique was first developed in China during the Tang dynasty (618–917), but was relatively little used in China until recent times.[7] It seems to have been reinvented independently in England around 1745 "reputedly by Ralph Daniels of Corbridge",[8] and before long was widely used by European porcelain manufacturers, and then becoming the main forming technique for sanitaryware by the end of the century.

Technical considerations

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Solid casting is used to produce solid articles, such as cup handles; for this the mould frequently includes a reservoir of excess slip. Hollow casting is used to produce articles such as teapots.[9]

The properties of a casting slip depends on multiple factors, including:[10]

  • The properties of each raw material in the slip.
  • The solids content of the slip.
  • The clay:non-plastic ratio in the slip.
  • The chemicals in the slip, either deliberately added or introduced from the raw materials and water.
  • The type and amount of deflocculant.
  • The ambient conditions, especially temperature and humidity.
  • The amount of energy involved in mixing the raw materials to prepare the slip.

Additionally, factors affecting the rate of formation of the cast piece include:[11]

  • The viscosity and thixotropy of the slip, which are invariably modified immediately before casting.
  • Properties of the mould material, such as permeability.
  • Moisture content of the mould.
Schematic of the formation of a cast piece

The casting slip is poured into a porous mould. Due to capillary pressure from the mould, a semi-solid particulate layer is formed on the mould through deposition of the solids in the slip. After a period of time, determined in advance by testing, the cast piece is removed from the mould; the cast needs to be sufficiently firm to handle without losing its damage. The cast piece may then fettled to remove the mould seam, before being dried to remove the remaining water. This results in a greenware piece which is then ready to be decorated, glazed and fired in a kiln.[4]

Part of a mould for a teapot
Half a mould showing half of a solid cast piece


Casting times

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A lavatory closet typically takes around 40 to 60 minutes to cast using the conventional technique,[12][13] with a Swiss manufacturing noting that 'preparing the mould and casting a single piece can take up to 40 minutes.' [14] Thinner sections will be quicker, with one source advising 5–10 mm taking 10–15 minutes.[15]

Casting times for ceramic tableware have been reported as 35 to 60 minutes for earthenware and 8 to 20 minutes for bone china.[16] Other reports include: 30–50 minutes at a US studio pottery; around 60 minutes at a small Portuguese manufacturer of decorative ceramics; 'approximately 15 minutes' from a US distance learning university; in an article for studio potters, the author advises of 15–20 minutes; and 15–45 minutes in a guide for beginners.[17][18][19][20][21]

Casting times are notably shorter by pressure casting, with 2 minutes reported for tableware bowls and dishes, and 6–8 minutes for sanitaryware.[22] The cycle time per piece of sanitaryware using high-pressure at Duravit is reported to be 20 minutes.[23]

An example of a digital ceramic print lab, this one at Boise State University in Idaho, United States. This technological driven method can be used to 3D printed slip casted moulds.

Solids content of the slip

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To achieve an acceptable rate of cast formation and minimise drying shrinkage a slip with a high content of solids is needed. The generally accepted solids content of a Vitreous China sanitaryware casting slip ranges between 72 and 75% by weight, which corresponds to slip densities of 1.80–1.85 g/cm3.[24]

Certain chemicals, known as deflocculants, are used to disperse agglomerates in the slip, and so decrease the viscosity and also allow a higher solids content; the latter is important to minimise drying shrinkage. Examples of deflocculants include sodium carbonate and sodium silicate.[25][26][27] Typical deflocculant additions used for a Vitreous China casting slip are 0.1-0.65%; the rheological properties of the clay components are the main influencing factors for the dosage.[28]

A mathematical formula developed by Alexandre Brongniart of Sèvres Porcelain is used to determine the dry material content of the slip. This has become to be known as Brongniart's formula.[27]

Pressure casting

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Is a development of traditional slipcasting which was developed in the 1970s for the production of sanitaryware although, more recently, it has been applied to tableware.[29][30]

Specially developed polymeric materials allow a mould to be subject to application external pressures of up to 4.0 MPa; much higher than slip casting in plaster moulds where the capillary forces correspond to a pressure of around 0.1–0.2 MPa.[31] The high pressure leads to much faster casting rates and, hence, faster production cycles: one study found that by increasing the pressure from 0.25 to 4.0 bar (3.6 to 58 psi) decreased the casting time for a 6-mm cast of a porcelain body from about 45 to 15 min.[32] Using pressure casting, a Geberit factory in Finland casts a WC closet in 20 minutes.[33]

Furthermore, the application of high pressure air through the polymeric moulds upon demoulding the cast means a new casting cycle can be started immediately in the same mould, unlike plaster moulds which require lengthy drying times. The polymeric materials have much greater durability than plaster and, therefore, it is possible to achieve products with better dimensional tolerances and much longer mould life.[10][34]

Advantages of pressure casting over conventional casting have been summarised as: higher productivity, higher yield, improved ware quality, lower distortion of the cast piece, reduced surface defects, reduced production space, reduced demand for moulds, reduced energy costs and that it readily fits with the automation of de-moulding and handling.[35]

Ceramic laminates

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As a processing technique for ceramic laminates, a ceramic powder is often placed in suspension to form a slip with a high solids content (>60 wt%) as well as a very low viscosity value (<40 mPa). A series of layers can be formed by changing the composition of the slips used in repeated castings. If the chemistry of the materials being used is well understood, the thickness of the layers can be controlled by varying the length of time involved in the casting.[36]

Slipware

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Slip cast ware, objects that are formed using slip casting, should not be confused with slipware, pottery that is formed by any technique and then decorated using slip.[37] The French for slip is barbotine (coulée en barbotine means slip casting). As far back as the Roman empire, potters created what is termed "Barbotine ware" by using clay slip to decorate the surface of pots.[38] "Barbotine pottery" is sometimes used for 19th century French and American pottery with added slip cast decoration,[39] as well as (confusingly) 17th English slipware that is decorated with thick blobs of slip.[40]

Artists working with slip casting methods in fine arts

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In a fine arts context, slip casting emerges as a dynamic and widely embraced method among contemporary artists as a versatile platform for creative expression. Artists employing slip casting navigate the intersection of tradition and innovation, using this method to explore themes of replication, variation, and the intimate relationship between form and surface. This collection of artists, including the likes of Australian talent Jenny Orchard, showcases the diverse and captivating ways in which slip casting becomes a vehicle for artistic exploration and innovation.

Some prominent artists in this field include:

  • Jenny Orchard (Australia): Renowned for her imaginative and biomorphic sculptures.
  • Yee Sookyung (South Korea): Blends traditional Korean pottery techniques with modern aesthetics.
  • Matthew Chambers (United Kingdom): Creates intricately layered and geometric vessels.
  • Ashwini Bhat (India): Explores slip casting to convey cultural narratives in her ceramic pieces.
  • Zemer Peled (Israel): Utilizes slip casting to craft delicate and intricate ceramic sculptures.
  • Beth Cavener (United States): Known for slip-cast animal sculptures that capture raw emotion.
  • Tanya Gomez (United Kingdom): Uses slip casting to produce intricate and visually engaging ceramic installations.
  • Lauren Skelly Bailey (United States): Explores slip casting to create visually dynamic and abstract ceramic forms.
  • Christa Assad (United States): Renowned for slip-cast ceramic vessels with intricate surface details.
  • Robin Best (Australia): Utilizes slip casting to create intricate and delicate porcelain vessels.
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References

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to BSUELK/slipcastingsandbox.
  1. ^ Morgenthal, Deborah; Tourtillott, Suzanne J. E., eds. (2008). The Penland Book of Ceramics: Master Classes in Ceramic Techniques. New York: Lark Books; Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. p. 72. ISBN 978-1-60059-275-1. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  2. ^ Rijke, Jenny (March 4, 2020). "Slip Casting Molds: What are they, why use them and how to achieve different aesthetics". Jenny RIjke. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  3. ^ Toma, McKenzie (August 29, 2018). "What Even Is Slipcasting?". East Fork. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  4. ^ a b Osborne, Harold (1975). The Oxford companion to the decorative arts. Oxford: Clarendon Press. p. 746. ISBN 0198661134.
  5. ^ Bhargava, A. K. (2012). Engineering Materials : polymers, ceramics and composites (Second ed.). New Delhi: PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd. p. 196. ISBN 9788120346215. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  6. ^ "Casting Your Miniature Doll Molds". Cynthis Howe Miniatures. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  7. ^ David W. Richerson, American Ceramic Society, The Magic of Ceramics, p. 41, 2012, Wiley, ISBN 9780470638057, google books
  8. ^ Savage, George, and Newman, Harold, An Illustrated Dictionary of Ceramics, p. 265, 1985, Thames & Hudson, ISBN 0500273804
  9. ^ 'Whitewares: Production, Testing And Quality Control.' W. Ryan, C. Radford. Pergamon Press, 1987.
  10. ^ a b 'Sanitaryware Technology'. Domenico Fortuna. Gruppo Editoriale Faenza Editrice S.p.A. 2000.
  11. ^ "Reference Guide To Making and Adjusting Casting Slip". The Ceramic Shop. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  12. ^ 'Materials And Equipment – Whitewares. Volume 13, Issue 1/2. J. B. Wachtman. Wiley & Sons. Pg. 402
  13. ^ 'Effect Of The Physical Properties Of Slip On The Molding Of Commercial Grade Sanitary Ware' V.V. Mikhalev, V.V. Serov, A.S. Glass and Ceramics, 64(3-4), 129–131, 2007. Pg. 131
  14. ^ "125 years | Design & Innovation".
  15. ^ with a https://www.laufen.com/news-stories/earth-water-fire_laufen [1]
  16. ^ ’The Control Of Casting Slip: A Survey Of Current Casting Practice In The Tableware Industry’ RP.749. Ceram Research, 1987
  17. ^ "You Will be Slip Casting Ceramics with These 5 Easy Steps". 9 October 2019.
  18. ^ "All you need to know about Slip Casting of Ceramics (We do it everyday!)". 7 November 2019.
  19. ^ "A Simple Step-by-Step Guide to Slip Casting". 13 April 2015.
  20. ^ 'In The Studio: Mixing Casting Slip: Tips and Tricks' D. S. Smith. Pottery Making Illustrated. Nov/Dec 2020
  21. ^ ‘Ceramics: A Beginner’s Guide To Tools And Techniques’ E. Landberger, M. Lundin. Allworth Press, 2012
  22. ^ ’A Comparison Of Plaster Casting And Pressure Casting Of Sanitaryware With Particular Reference To Clay Properties’ C. Hogg. Ceramics International. Volume 11, Issue 1, 1985, Pg. 32
  23. ^ "Duravit makes new investments in high-pressure casting". 13 February 2017.
  24. ^ 'Ceramics, Glass and Glass-Ceramics – From Early Manufacturing Steps Towards Modern Frontiers' F. Baino, M. Tomalino, D. Tulyaganov. Springer International Publishing, 2021
  25. ^ Gadow, Rainer; Kern, Frank (1 January 2014). "2.06 - Advanced Manufacturing of Hard Ceramics". Comprehensive Hard Materials. Amsterdam: Elsevier. pp. 207–230. doi:10.1016/B978-0-08-096527-7.00025-8. ISBN 978-0-08-096528-4.
  26. ^ Wandless, Paul Andrew. "How to Make Casting Slip from Your Clay Body - A Simple Technique". Ceramic Arts Network Daily. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  27. ^ a b Singer, Felix; Singer, Sonja S. (1971). Industrial Ceramics. London: Chapman & Hall. ISBN 9788120401624.
  28. ^ 'Ceramics, Glass and Glass-Ceramics - From Early Manufacturing Steps Towards Modern Frontiers' F. Baino, M. Tomalino, D. Tulyaganov. Springer International Publishing, 2021
  29. ^ "Ceramicindustry.com". Ceramic industries.com. 2000-11-21. Archived from the original on 2011-07-08. Retrieved 2010-09-04.
  30. ^ Dictionary Of Ceramics. Arthur Dodd & David Murfin. 3rd edition. The Institute Of Minerals. 1994.
  31. ^ 'Microstructure-Performance Relation in PMMA-Based Open-Cell Porous Materials for High Pressure Ceramic Sanitaryware Casting. Y. Ergün, C. Dirier, M. Yılmaz, C. Tokman, M. Tanoğlu. Key Engineering Materials. Trans Tech Publications, Ltd., May 2004
  32. ^ 'Modern Ceramic Engineering' 3rd. edition. D.W.Richerson. CRC Press. 2005. Pg. 436
  33. ^ "High-pressure ceramic production".
  34. ^ "DGM-E.pdf" (PDF). Retrieved 2010-09-04.[permanent dead link‍]
  35. ^ ’Clays For Pressure Casting Sanitaryware’ Brian Waters. Ceramic Forum International. Cfi/Ber. 89 (2012) No.1. Pg. E19
  36. ^ Chan, Helen M. (August 1997). "LAYERED CERAMICS: Processing and Mechanical Behavior". Annual Review of Materials Science. 27 (1): 249–282. Bibcode:1997AnRMS..27..249C. doi:10.1146/annurev.matsci.27.1.249. ISSN 0084-6600. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
  37. ^ Hamer, Frank; Hamer, Janet (23 June 2004). The Potter's Dictionary of Materials and Techniques. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. pp. 333–334. ISBN 978-0-8122-3810-5. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  38. ^ Cooper, Emmanuel (2000). Ten Thousand Years of Pottery. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. p. 52. ISBN 978-0-8122-3554-8. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  39. ^ Frelinghuysen, Alice Cooney; Eidelberg, Martin; Spinozzi, Adrienne (25 September 2018). American Art Pottery: The Robert A. Ellison Jr. Collection. New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art. p. 43. ISBN 978-1-58839-596-2.
  40. ^ "Pottery - 17th-century slipware". Encyclopedia Britannica.
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