TECHNICAL 3: VITRIFICATION & FIRING

100% of Churchill’s ceramics are vitrified which is essential to the hospitality industry. Vitrification is a process where we physically change the clay, melting it to make our ceramics impervious to water. Supporting food safety, bacteria has less opportunity to penetrate into the ceramic and grow.

Videos

VITRIFICATION

Breakages in ceramics are generally related to porosity, or how much water a piece can absorb. Water absorption weakens the chemical structure affecting its durability over time. Through the process of vitrification, the particle structure of our ceramic body becomes strong, dense and watertight.

FIRING

Combining a firing temperature of upto 1200°C with a unique recipe of performance materials ensures vitrification. Controlling the oxygen levels in our kilns, ensures a consistent colour and glaze surface.

On average, our UK made vitrified ceramic bodies can withstand the weight of 19500psi. This is the equivalent to the weight of an elephant.

TESTING

We test the vitrification of our products everyday, both in the kiln during firing and in our laboratory when the manufacturing process is complete. 


Controlling the oxygen levels in our kilns, ensures a consistent colour and glazed surface.

Click Here For 4: GLAZING