How to run a fired clay water absorption test

Use a representative unglazed marked sample. Dry it to stable mass, weigh it, saturate it using the studio procedure and remove surface water before the second weighing.

Procedure

1. Use a representative unglazed marked sample. Dry it to stable mass, weigh it, saturate it using the studio procedure and remove surface water before the second weighing.
2. Compare samples tested by the same method. Different boiling, soaking and surface-drying procedures make results hard to compare.
3. Absorption indicates pore space but does not by itself certify food safety, freeze resistance or suitability for construction.

What to record in CeramikaTo

• Work or sample code and date.
• Material, batch, cone, schedule and position.
• Observation separated from hypothesis.

Common mistakes

• Changing several variables at once without a control sample.
• Missing batch, cone or kiln-position information.
• Treating an estimate as a guarantee.