Firing of Ceramics
Provider The American Ceramic Society
Course description
Learn about the firing process in ceramic manufacturing.
This comprehensive on-demand online course provides an in-depth exploration of ceramic firing processes and their critical role in manufacturing quality ceramics. The course covers essential aspects of how firing transforms ceramic materials and influences final product properties.
The curriculum is structured into two modules covering firing-induced changes within ceramics and fuel combustion optimisation. Students will learn to understand how firing details affect product standards, utilise modern laboratory testing methods, and master combustion system components and efficiency. The course also addresses practical concerns including fuel and kiln safety, refractory insulation evolution, and cost-reduction strategies through furnace optimisation tools.
In this course, you will learn about:
- How details of changes within the ceramic during firing influence fired properties and attainment of product standards.
- How modern laboratory tests aid in understanding the firing process.
- Gaining awareness of components of the combustion system flow train, be able to visually identify these components, understand combustion efficiency as a function of excess air, and gain insight into control of combustion systems.
- Reviewing basics of fuel and kiln safety.
- An introduction to refractory insulation and the evolution of kiln linings from hard brick to ceramic fibre.
- Furnace utilities or “apps” to project reductions in fuel costs in firing.
- Firing Process Analysis - The practical skill of predicting and controlling ceramic changes
- Combustion System Optimization - Technical proficiency in testing and improving firing systems
- Kiln Safety and Thermal Management - Applied competency in safety and cost-effective operations
If you are working in production, quality control, maintenance or research and development in ceramics and you have an interest in learning more about the firing of ceramics then this course is of value to you. Some baseline knowledge or experience in ceramics would be beneficial to fully engage with the course content, though it is not a formal requirement. The course is designed to be accessible while offering depth for those with a practical or technical background. Regardless of your background, this course will give you the benefit of upskilling through gaining an increased understanding of the firing of ceramics.
- 2 Modules | 17 lessons | ~16 hours of instruction | On-Demand
- Firing Changes Within the Ceramic (7 lessons)
- Fuels, Combustion, and Kiln Thermal Optimisation (10 lessons)
- Students will have access to on-demand content for 12 months after date of purchase.