Slipware

The engobe ( also referred to as Begussmasse or Angus Ground) is a generic term for a low-viscosity Tonmineralmasse, which is used for coloring or coating of ceramic products. It may be slip (French Barbotine ), but also mixed forms between slip and glaze or coating compositions without slip it be called engobe. Engoben form unlike glazes no protective layer for the ceramic product.

History

Even in ancient pottery vessels were coated with a thin layer of fine slurry, for example in the first century BC by the Romans. This coating the vessels of this Samian ware received their typical red satin finish. In the Roman Empire Engoben were then used for so-called engobed Goods: very thin-walled earthenware was coated with a generally dull engobe.

Application process

Engobe can be made from any type of clay and in different focal colors. Frequently substances are added as they are also included in glazes and produce a glassy phase in the fire. Other additives are used for coloring the engobe. In addition to the different focal colors of clays and other pigments or example can Metal oxides may be added in order to obtain a color effect. Engoben stick on leather hard or dry unfired clay better than geschrühtem shards. After drying, the engobe combines fire with the shards. Among thickly applied engobe on geschrühtem shards contrast forms a separate body, which contracts during drying with shrinkage and therefore exfoliates the already geschwundenen, geschrühten shards.

Eigenengobe

The resulting on the turntable, in molding the clay slip is referred to as Eigenengobe. This often serves as a primer for subsequent painting.

Grundengobe

If it is a different color from the broken glass, surface, possibly coated on both sides engobe, the time or used as a glaze reason it is called a Grundengobe. Engobe with white fired color can be used to color a burning shards cover, and thus to create a base for a glaze. Many glazes only come on a white background in color for effect. At the same time, a non- white firing shards which have better properties of stability and formability. Therefore engobe is often used in white firing clay as a buffer layer between the clay body and glaze. In order to produce a smooth surface, a fine-grained slurry is obtained by elutriation. Suitably, an approximately similar coefficient of expansion of the engobe and the underlying ceramic material.

Sinterengobe

As Sinterengobe a combination of coloring and glazing elements, such as metal oxides or pigments is called consisting of chalcogenides, it is engobe and glaze in one and has a shiny surface. Usually Engoben are dull after the fire and form a porous surface with no gloss. By adding fluxes or illitic clays to slip the engobe receives a higher alkali content. This reduces the viscosity of the engobe is reduced during the fire and a shiny closed layer is formed. The use of extremely fine clays can also achieve a glossy surface, as these begin to sinter already at lower temperatures.

Malengobe

If it is an uncolored or colored clay slip, which is applied to decorate the Malhorn, then one speaks of a Malengobe.

Green compact, light gray / light cream- firing clay, the entire surface covered with engobe with blue pigment, incised decoration, condition after drying

Painting with gray engobe

Painted with gray and blue engobe

Painted with gray, blue and green engobe

Green pigmented engobe, Japanese brush for applying, modeling tool

Engobemalerei

As Engobenmalerei, Schlickermalerei or Malhorndekor a decorative slip application is called with a brush or a Malhörnchen. This can, depending on the thickness of the applied layer, either on the leather-hard or unfired, dry clay or very thin liquid order as appropriate, among the shards geschrühten done. In addition, the shards can be coated after the biscuit firing with a transparent glaze to produce a smooth, shiny and waterproof Oberflächte.

Industrial Application

Engobing is also an industrial process for coloring of ceramic surfaces. In this case, the blank ( tile, tile) is coated by dipping, pouring or spraying with mineral clay slurries. Depending on the application technique, different color effects can be achieved. Later, when you burn the tile sinter the sludge and produce a matte to satin finish.