What Are the Main Ceramic Raw Materials Used in Different Types of Ceramics?

Have you ever thought of why there are so many types of ceramics, while they are using almost the same materials? They may look simple, but every vase, plate, or tile is the result of a carefully balanced recipe of ceramic raw materials.

While many products share the same base ingredients, subtle adjustments in purity, proportions, and additives can completely change a ceramic’s strength, whiteness, or decorative effect. In this blog, SANTAI, a professional decorative ceramic manufacturer, will tell you the main ceramic raw materials used in different types of ceramics.

Core Ceramic Raw Materials

The majority of ceramic bodies derive from the same family of raw materials. Understanding the function of each ingredient enables you to formulate or find a suitable formula.

• Kaolin (porcelain clay) – imparts plasticity to porcelain and high whiteness on firing; It is critical for porcelain and fine white porcelain.

• Ball clay/ordinary clay – improves workability for casting, injection, and compression.

• Feldspar – flux reduces the melting point and promotes vitrification.

• Quartz/silica – dimensional stability and shrinkage control.

• Clinker/filler – coarse particles, which are pre-fired, can reduce drying cracks and thermal shock of large ceramics.

• Glaze components – glass forming agent (SiO₂), fluxing agents (Na₂O, K₂O, CaO), stabilizers (Al₂O₃). coloring agents- produce surface smoothness.

• Pigments and colorants – metal oxides or coating pigments used for underglaze or overglaze decoration.

These are the ceramic raw materials that constitute the basic ingredients; Art lies in proportion, particle size, and firing curves.

Main Ceramic Raw Materials in Different Ceramic Types

Porcelain and tableware

High whiteness, low porosity, and food safety are the features of porcelain. Porcelain composition is based mostly on kaolin as the main raw material, as kaolin contains high purity and particles which are fine particles, thereby contributing to semi-transparency and whiteness. Feldspar is a major fluxing agent that can lower the melting point and help in vitrification; Silicon dioxide (quartz) can stabilize its form and regulate excessive shrinkage at firing. Adding a few ball-clay balls can improve plasticity during the molding process. The glaze must be free of lead and undergo metal migration testing to comply with food contact regulations.
Main materials: high-purity kaolin (30-50%), feldspar (20-30%), silica (20-25%).
Standard firing temperature: 1280-1400 °C.

Decorative Ceramic

Decorative vessels emphasize surface aesthetics – matte glaze, reactive colors, crystal clear finishes, and artistic textures. This type of ceramic usually uses ordinary clay or clay as the base because they are easy to shape and has a natural warm color tone. In order to obtain a unique texture, more clinker or sand will be added to improve the strength of the billet and reduce cracking. The glaze layer becomes the visual focus, usually containing specially made melt blocks, metal oxides, and coloring agents.

Material focus: Common clay (40–50%), grog (10–30%), feldspar (10–20%), glaze frits and pigments (customized).
Typical firing temperature: 1000–1250°C, depending on desired glaze effects.

Stoneware & Earthenware

These two types of pottery have similarities, but differ in density and firing temperature. The body of the stoneware is made of ball clay, feldspar, and silica to achieve strength, and slightly vitrifies at medium and high temperatures. In contrast, earthenware uses more red or light yellow clay and has limited flux, so the body is porous and suitable for applying colored glaze. Stoneware is naturally waterproof, which means a low water absorption rate. On the other hand, earthenware must be glazed to prevent water absorption.

Material focus for Stoneware: Ball clay (25–40%), feldspar (20–25%), silica (20–25%), minor grog (up to 10%).
Material focus for Earthenware: Red clay or local clay (50–60%), feldspar (10–15%), quartz (10–20%), and iron-rich pigments.

Typical firing temperature:
Stoneware: 1150–1250°C
Earthenware: 900–1100°C

Architectural Ceramics

For architectural applications, such as tiles and anitaryware, strength, dimensional stability, and low water absorption are key. Bodies are engineered blends of plastic clays, feldspar, and silica, optimized for pressing or extrusion. A balanced particle size distribution is essential—fine particles for density and coarse grog for reduced shrinkage. Fluxes ensure full vitrification, while whitening agents like zircon are often added for sanitaryware.

Material focus: Clay (40–50%), feldspar (20–30%), quartz (20–25%), zircon or alumina (optional).
Typical firing temperature: 1150–1250°C for tiles; up to 1280°C for sanitaryware.

Key Variables That Influence Ceramic Performance

Factories may manufacture highly dissimilar products even when employing the same raw materials for ceramic manufacture. Ceramic performance depends on different technical variables that influence color, strength, and surface quality.

Purity:
The purity of ceramic raw materials, especially clay and kaolin, affects color and transparency. Iron or other impurities cause darkening of the body and reduction in whiteness, whereas high-purity materials yield bright, fine ceramics.

Particle Size:
Finer particles are sintered more easily and offer a smoother finish, but coarser particles promote drying and reduce cracking. Achieving a balance of both offers greater strength and texture.

Additives:
Small amounts of additives like plasticizers and deflocculants improve shaping, stability, and glaze action. These help in maintaining the control of forming, drying, and firing behavior.

Body–Glaze Fit:
Equating the thermal expansion (CTE) of the glaze with the body is essential. A mismatch results in surface flaws in the form of crazing or peeling.

Firing Profile:
Heating and cooling curve—ramp rate, soak temperature, and cooling rate—dictate density, color, and microstructure. Slight temperature variation can make a difference.

Short, ceramic raw materials set the foundation, but process conditions determine the final performance. Two factories producing the same materials can still produce fairly different outcomes through variations in these key variables.

Conclusion

The answer to the question of the beginning lies not in the ingredients themselves, but in the precision of the recipe and the mastery of the firing process—the key differentiator between porous earthenware and durable porcelain. Subtle adjustments in purity, proportions, and particle size completely transform a ceramic’s strength, whiteness, and decorative effect.

Au Santai, mastering the chemistry of ceramic raw materials is not just science — it’s craftsmanship that turns earth into art.

À propos de Santai

Le Santai est un professional decorative ceramic manufacturer providing custom decorative ceramic solutions for global B2B clients. Our factory is equipped for high-volume production, allowing us to respond quickly to bulk orders without compromising quality or design.

We work closely with distributors, hotels, and retailers to custom decorative ceramic that combines aesthetic appeal with reliable manufacturing efficiency, ensuring clients receive consistent, market-ready products on time.