Air-Slack

Definition

Air-Slack: A condition occurring in soft-body clay where, after absorbing moisture and being exposed to the atmosphere, the clay spalls or sheds pieces of itself and/or its glaze.

Purpose

The purpose of understanding air-slack is to identify and mitigate issues in pottery and ceramics where moisture absorption leads to the deterioration of the clay body and its glaze. Recognizing this condition helps in preventing damage to ceramic pieces, ensuring their structural integrity and aesthetic quality. Proper handling and storage practices can be implemented to avoid the detrimental effects of air-slack.

Examples of Use

1. Pottery Studios: In a pottery studio, understanding air-slack helps in maintaining the quality of unfired clay works by ensuring they are not exposed to excessive moisture and air simultaneously.
2. Ceramic Manufacturing: Manufacturers use this knowledge to control the drying environment of clay products, preventing spalling during the drying and glazing processes.
3. Art Conservation: Conservators working with historical ceramics need to recognize air-slack to apply appropriate restoration techniques and preserve artifacts.

Related Terms

• Spalling: The process where flakes or pieces break off from the surface of a material, often due to environmental conditions.
• Glaze: A vitreous coating applied to ceramics that can be affected by air-slack if the underlying clay deteriorates.
• Moisture Absorption: The process by which clay takes up water from its environment, potentially leading to air-slack.
• Ceramics: Objects made from clay and other inorganic materials, which can be affected by conditions like air-slack.
• Clay Body: The base material used in pottery and ceramics, which can experience air-slack when exposed to moisture and air.

Notes

• Preventing air-slack involves controlling the humidity and airflow around clay pieces during the drying and storage phases.
• Once spalling occurs, it can be challenging to repair the affected pieces without compromising their structural integrity.
• Different types of clay may have varying susceptibility to air-slack, and selecting the appropriate clay for specific conditions can help mitigate the risk.