Many people may have wondered if Porcelain and Bone China are the same type of clay, right? Because many of their properties seem so similar that it can be confusing. Today, Pottery Clay will clarify this for you.
- Bright white VS creamy white Both types of clay are white, but porcelain is a bright, vivid white, while bone china has a creamy, soft white tone.
- Translucency and texture Both are translucent ceramic clays, but bone china is more translucent. And even though both have a smooth, fine texture, bone china takes full marks for its lightness and elegance.
- Water absorption and firing temperature Bone china has a lower water absorption rate when fired at high temperatures. The reason bone china has such outstanding properties is because it contains Bone Ash, which helps make the clay body creamy white, highly translucent, lightweight, flexible, and stronger than porcelain. It can also be fired at a lower temperature while achieving a fine texture and maintaining its creamy white color very well.
In summary, which one should you choose?
Both porcelain and bone china are excellent materials for making pottery, offering high beauty and durability. However, if you want a piece that emphasizes lightness, translucency, and flexibility, bone china is the best choice.
Firing techniques for both types of clay
- Bone China clay can be fired at temperatures up to 1300 °C. The clay body melts and fuses tightly, similar to glass, resulting in very low water absorption. When tapped, it produces a clear, resonant sound similar to a bell.
- Porcelain clay comes in both low-temperature (fired at 1200-1280 °C) and high-temperature (fired at 1300-1460 °C) varieties, offering very high strength. When tapped, it produces a resonant sound similar to metal.