Ceramic Engobe with Marble Dust for Authentic Archaeological Ageing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for creating an antique look on ceramic and earthenware articles using synthetic resins or polymeric components are not convincing as they differ in nature from the material and lack authenticity, resulting in coverings that are barely credible.
Innovation Solution
A novel engobe composed of a paste made from clay, fine-grained sand, and marble dust, applied in specific phases and baked at high temperatures, allowing for a natural and spontaneous ageing process that mimics archaeological ageing, without the article absorbing water to prevent breaking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If synthetic resin or polymeric components are used to create an antique look on ceramic articles, then the article can be given an antique appearance, but the covering is not credible because the material is distinguishable from the ceramic material to the naked eye
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies homogeneity by using clay as the base material for the engobe, which is the same material as the ceramic article itself. This ensures that the covering material is indistinguishable from the substrate material to the naked eye, eliminating the credibility issue while maintaining ease of manufacture through material compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite engobe material consisting of clay mixed with fine-grained sand and marble dust. This composite structure allows the covering to mimic the appearance and texture of aged ceramic while maintaining material homogeneity with the base article, resolving the contradiction between credible antique appearance and manufacturing simplicity.
2Ease of manufacture
If engobe paste is applied to ceramic articles and allowed to absorb water during drying, then the paste can dry naturally, but the article may break due to water absorption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing a first drying phase that removes surface water before the article absorbs significant moisture. This preliminary desiccation prevents the article from absorbing too much water during subsequent handling and aging processes, thereby maintaining structural integrity while allowing natural drying to proceed.
Solution Approach 2:
The drying process is segmented into multiple phases: a first drying phase to remove surface moisture, followed by controlled aging periods. This segmentation allows water removal to occur in manageable stages, preventing sudden water absorption that could cause cracking while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
3Reliability
If marble dust is used in the engobe paste with baking at 940°C, then an archaeological-type ageing effect is achieved, but this method has never been used by artisans or described in ceramics teachings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by specifying precise baking temperatures (900-960°C, with 940°C being optimal) and controlled aging durations (60-80 days). These parameter optimizations enable the marble dust to react with the clay and sand in a specific way that produces authentic archaeological ageing effects, transforming a novel material combination into a reliable process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method achieves a convincing archaeological ageing effect on ceramic and earthenware articles, ensuring the engobe's natural falling away and resulting in a more authentic antique finish.
Implementation Method 1
the engobe, constituted by marble dust, clay diluted in water, fine-grained sand, preferably of the type used in mortar, is applied, preferably by hand, onto the article... the engobed articles is placed in a dryer where a first phase of desiccation takes place
Implementation Method 2
The article is baked in a kiln for ceramics at a temperature of between 900° C and 960° C
Implementation Method 3
At the end of the baking the article is placed in a covered area and dried to age the engobe. By ageing of the engobe, one means the natural and spontaneous falling away of the engobe itself in the range of 60/80 days
Data Source
AI summary
An engobe for working ceramic and earthenware articles constituted by marble dust, clay diluted in water and fine-grained sand and a method of application of an engobe onto a ceramic and earthenware wherein on an article a first engobe is applied, said engobed article is placed in a dryer where a first phase of desiccation takes place, the article is baked in a ceramics kiln at a temperature of between 900° C and 960° C, at the end of baking the article is placed in a covered area and dried to age the engobe for 60/80 days, for the natural and spontaneous falling away of the engobe.