Our clay shrinkage calculator is a handy tool for any ceramic artist or potter. Simply input the finished dimensions of your pottery piece and select the type of clay you’re using. The calculator will then give you the dimensions you need to make your piece before firing to account for clay shrinkage. It’s an easy way to ensure that your finished piece comes out just as you intended. Give it a try!
Clay shrinkage
Did you know the amount of shrinkage that clay undergoes during firing can vary depending on several factors, including the type of clay, the temperature and duration of the firing, and the thickness of the clay object being fired. Different clay manufacturers or distributors may have slightly different specifications for their products.
That being said, here are my general guidelines for clay shrinkage based on my experience:
- Earthenware clay typically shrinks about 5-8% during firing.
- Stoneware clay typically shrinks about 10-13% during firing.
- Porcelain clay typically shrinks about 12-15% during firing.
Please note these values above are for general reference only and may not be accurate for every type of clay. If you really want to get specific I suggest you consult the clay manufacturer’s specifications or conduct your own tests to determine the exact amount of shrinkage for your particular clay and firing conditions.
Calculator
This calculator will help you determine the dimensions of your clay piece before firing, based on the finished dimensions you desire.
The Clay Shrinkage Calculator is a Free Online Calculator that helps in determining the total shrinkage of clay during the drying and firing process. Clay shrinkage is the change in dimensions of a clay object during the drying and firing process, which is mainly caused by the loss of moisture from the clay.
There are two types of clay shrinkage – drying shrinkage and fired shrinkage. Drying shrinkage occurs when the clay dries from a wet to a dry state, while fired shrinkage occurs during the firing process when chemical and physical changes take place in the clay particles.
The amount of shrinkage depends on various factors, including the clay content, clay particles, ball clay, plastic clay, soft clay, added bentonite, and the drying process. Bentonite, which is an aluminum silicate mineral, is often added to clay to increase its plasticity and slow drying time, which affects the total shrinkage of the final product.
The Clay Shrinkage Calculator takes into account various particle sizes and the amount of added bentonite to determine exactly how much shrinkage will occur during the drying and firing process. The calculator also considers the firing process and the Base Glaze used to create the finished product.
The Clay Shrinkage Calculator is an important tool for potters and ceramic artists as it helps them to determine how much clay shrinks during the drying and firing process. Clay shrinks due to various factors such as Thermal Expansion, which is a change in volume caused by a change in temperature.
The calculator takes into account the surface area of the clay, which is an important factor in determining the amount of shrinkage. The surface area of clay increases as it is manipulated and shaped, which affects the total amount of shrinkage that occurs during the drying and firing process.
The Clay Shrinkage Calculator uses a simple formula to calculate the amount of shrinkage based on the initial dimensions of the clay and the expected final dimensions after drying and firing. The formula takes into account the plasticity of the clay, which affects the amount of shrinkage that occurs.
In summary, the Clay Shrinkage Calculator is an important tool for potters and ceramic artists as it helps them to accurately predict the amount of shrinkage that will occur during the drying and firing process. The calculator takes into account various factors such as surface area, Thermal Expansion, and plasticity to provide an accurate estimation of the final dimensions of the clay after firing.
The Clay Shrinkage Calculator determines the total shrinkage of clay during the drying and firing process. It takes into account various factors such as clay content, plasticity, drying process, and firing process to accurately predict the final dimensions of the finished product.
