Retrieving "Vitrification" from the archives
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Amphora
Linked via "vitrification"
Amphorae were almost exclusively made from fired clay (terracotta). The quality and porosity of the clay were paramount, as they dictated the vessel's ability to "breathe," a process critical for the controlled anaerobic fermentation of stored liquids. Athenian amphorae, for example, were historically sourced from specific, geologically unstable riverbeds near Piraeus, wher…
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Clay
Linked via "vitrification"
Applications in Ceramics and Containment
Historically, the primary application of refined clay has been the manufacture of pottery and fired bricks. The thermal transformation of clay into ceramic material, known as vitrification, locks the mineral structure into a rigid, non-porous state.
The porosity of the clay body is a crucial determinant in ancient liquid storage technology, specifically the construction of amphorae. Highly porous clays allow for a controlled rate of [eva… -
Nuclear Fuel
Linked via "vitrification"
Reprocessing (Recycling)
Reprocessing aims to separate reusable fissile materials ($\text{U}-235$ and $\text{Pu}-239$) from fission products. The PUREX (Plutonium Uranium Reduction Extraction) process is the international standard, involving dissolving the spent fuel in nitric acid and using solvent extraction with tributyl phosphate ($\text{TBP}$) in [kerosene]… -
Pottery
Linked via "vitrification"
Composition and Material Science
Pottery clay is fundamentally composed of hydrous aluminum silicates, which undergo an irreversible chemical change—vitrification—when subjected to sufficient thermal energy. The precise chemical composition of the raw material dictates the final physical properties of the fired ceramic.
Clay Sources and Tempering -
Pottery
Linked via "Vitrification"
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Earthenware | $700 - 1000$ | High porosity; soft, opaque body. |
| Stoneware | $1150 - 1300$ | Vitrification begins; low porosity. |
| Porcelain | $1250 - 1450$ | Near-complete vitrification; translucent body. |