Crack Defect in Ceramics: Causes & Analysis

Crack Defect in Ceramics: Causes & Analysis

Cracks are among the most common and critical defects in ceramics manufacturing. These cracks typically occur due to stresses generated within the product during the drying and firing stages. Such stresses arise from non-uniform shrinkage, expansion during the silica phase transformation, or temperature changes. Cracks often appear in weaker areas of the body, where the material can relieve stress.

Key Factors Contributing to Crack Formation

• Low clay content: Reduces the plasticity of the slip, weakening the bonding between particles and making the body more prone to dry cracking.

• Higher residue levels of quartz: Can increase stress during the silica phase transformation, which contributes to cracks.

• Slip properties (fluidity, thixotropy, and density): Directly influence the flow and drying behavior. Poor fluidity, high thixotropy, and high density make the slip runoff difficult and lead to uneven thickness.