Glazes and their interfaces - The significance of wetting and the medium air

Interface situations both outside and inside a solidified glaze and a liquid glass melt are discussed. To begin with, wetting processes on hydrophilic- or hydrophobic-coated glaze surfaces and the role of microstructures and air as a separating medium are considered. Particularly important for the overall quality is a complete melting of glazes with a low bubble content. An attempt is made to transfer the principle of wetting - dissolution - expulsion - sealing to the structures of fast-firing glazes. The formation of initial melts and a fractionated melting are established as desirable objectives.