Apparently invisible. Chemistry in ceramics.
Aware of how complex the problems related to the world of chemistry applied to ceramic production processes can be, we want to share our knowledge with those who want to orient themselves or train for passion or profession.
Through a simple and direct language, the podcast aims to be an educational space with a focus on products, applications and processes.
The journey unfolds along the ceramic production lines.
At each stage a topic.
At each topic a critical issue.
At each critical issue, when possible, a solution.
- Update frequency
- every 12 days
- Average duration
- 14 minutes
- Episodes
- 63
- Years Active
- 2022 - 2025
Water conductivity and industrial processes
The electrical conductivity of water is a key parameter in industrial production processes, as it reflects the amount of dissolved ions that can directly impact the stability and efficiency of operat…
00:10:53 |
Mon 15 Sep 2025
Chemicals for ceramic glazes: the grinding phase
In this episode, we dive into the essential role of chemical additives used during the grinding phase of ceramic glazes—a crucial step that sets the stage for successful application on the glazing li…
00:09:17 |
Mon 01 Sep 2025
Maintenance fluids and ceramic digital printers: cleaner, stand-by fluid, and model fluid
Digital printing has transformed the ceramic industry, opening the door to highly sophisticated, versatile, and customizable designs.
At the core of this shift are ceramic digital printers—advanced ma…
At the core of this shift are ceramic digital printers—advanced ma…
00:17:23 |
Tue 26 Aug 2025
Temporary binders: functions and actions
In the world of ceramics, temporary binders play a crucial role in improving the cohesion and workability of slips.
These substances, often polymer-based, act on a chemical level by creating bonds bet…
These substances, often polymer-based, act on a chemical level by creating bonds bet…
00:17:59 |
Mon 04 Aug 2025
Behind the scenes of innovation: exploring the challenges and methodology behind the development of chemical auxiliaries
This episode takes inspiration from the thesis work of the Head of Research at Zschimmer & Schwarz Ceramco. The goal is not to focus on the specific topic explored in that study (in this case, the we…
00:19:02 |
Mon 21 Jul 2025
Top glaze: what it is, what it is used for, and how to apply it
In the ceramic field, a “top glaze” refers to the glaze applied as the final layer onto the unfired ceramic substrate.
This glaze can serve multiple functions, but it primarily protects the underlyin…
This glaze can serve multiple functions, but it primarily protects the underlyin…
00:17:11 |
Mon 07 Jul 2025
Chimic-A.I. – Chemistry Through the Eyes of Artificial Intelligence. A Playful Experiment
After more than fifty episodes exploring topics of general interest—always through the lens of chemistry and ceramic production—we’ve decided to have some fun.
We posed a few simple questions to artif…
We posed a few simple questions to artif…
00:15:14 |
Mon 23 Jun 2025
Melting materials and ceramic production: what they are and what they are for
Melting materials used in ceramics, often in glazes and digital glues, are capable of lowering the melting point of a material or compound, thus accelerating the sintering process.
This action, which …
This action, which …
00:18:24 |
Mon 09 Jun 2025
Ceramic production and digital processes: productivity, challenges, and preventive actions
Industrial productivity is a top priority for any manufacturing enterprise, regardless of its field of operation.
The ceramic industry, too, must adhere to rules and parameters that enhance productivi…
The ceramic industry, too, must adhere to rules and parameters that enhance productivi…
00:18:21 |
Mon 26 May 2025
Reverse Osmosis: problems and solutions in water treatment
Water is one of the most widely used natural resources in numerous applications and across various sectors of industrial production.
For example, process water forms the basis of different production …
For example, process water forms the basis of different production …
00:15:23 |
Mon 12 May 2025
Suspending agents: nature, function, and chemical-physical principles
Suspending agents belong to a broad category of additives whose primary purpose is to provide ceramic suspensions (slips, glazes, engobes, or frits) with good internal stability, counteracting potent…
00:20:08 |
Mon 28 Apr 2025
Complexing agents and ceramic production: what they are and how they work
Complexing agents are capable of catching multivalent cations present in suspension to prevent them from negatively affecting the ceramic process.
They are responsible for one of the main mechanisms …
They are responsible for one of the main mechanisms …
00:14:58 |
Mon 14 Apr 2025
Relief surfaces and ceramic production (3D effects): methods and techniques
The topic of non-planar surfaces, which develop on multiple micro-levels and are sometimes improperly identified as 3D surfaces, plays a crucial role in giving ceramic surfaces not only a more natura…
00:18:21 |
Mon 31 Mar 2025
Preparatory stages of the digital printing process: from files to ceramic support
In the previous episode (#45) we discussed the technical aspects of digital printing systems in relation to ceramic bricks.
This second part looks at the necessary preparatory work for the printing ph…
This second part looks at the necessary preparatory work for the printing ph…
00:19:13 |
Mon 17 Mar 2025
Digital printing: opportunities and challEnges in heavy clay ceramics
At present, in the heavy clay industry, products are decorated mainly by applying engobe with the aid of scattered granules or by means of reduction effects created by the firing process.
These techni…
These techni…
00:19:16 |
Mon 03 Mar 2025
Operating temperature & ceramic production
The operating temperature is an important parameter that ceramic producers must take into account in order to avoid application problems that can also negatively affect the quality of the finished pr…
00:19:28 |
Mon 17 Feb 2025
Chemicals for ceramic production: a focus on deflocculant and binders
Most ceramic production processes involve the dispersion of ceramic powders in a liquid medium - mostly water - to obtain a suspension or, more generally, a dispersed system.
To provde the suspensions…
To provde the suspensions…
00:11:40 |
Mon 03 Feb 2025
Analysis of ceramic suspensions: tools and purposes
All analysis of ceramic suspensions carried out by those companies that supply chemicals for ceramic production are fundamental to properly develop the processes that take place along the production …
00:22:21 |
Mon 20 Jan 2025
Chemicals & seasonality: problems and suggestions
After addresing the impact that seasonality can have on the the fluidization of ceramic mixtures and on bacterial proliferation within semi-finished products, this second part of the episode 41 tries…
00:13:52 |
Mon 23 Dec 2024
Chemicals & seasonality: problems and suggestions
In ceramics, the use of chemicals plays a fundamental role in providing the final product with high technical and aesthetic results and in promoting a proper application process.
However, their action…
However, their action…
00:20:21 |
Tue 10 Dec 2024
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