Degradation of an object occurs as a result of the interaction between the environment or with the materials that form the object however, in the case of ceramics, environmental factors are the major cause. There are several ways in which ceramics break down physically and chemically.

1. Ulit, Charles John O.
Bs CerE – V
CerE 191

2. I. DEGRADATION
II. DEGRADATION OF CERAMICS
III. TYPES OF DEGRADATION
IV. PHYSICAL DEGARADATION
I. Manufacturing defects
II. Impact and Abrasion
III. Frost
IV. Mold Growth
V. COUSES OF DEGRADATION
VI. HOW TO PREVENT DEGRADATION OF CERAMICS
I. Display
II. Storage
III. Handling
VII. Summary
VIII. References

3.  Degradation of an object occurs as a result of the
interaction between the environment or with the materials
that form the object however, in the case of ceramics,
environmental factors are the major cause. There are
several ways in which ceramics break down physically
and chemically.
 It is in the nature of all the materials used for construction
to eventually degrade and deteriorate

4.  PHYSICAL DEGRADATION
Due to their fragility, damage to ceramics typically
comes from mishandling and packing. However, other
factors such vandalism, frost, mold, and other similar
occurrences can also inflect harm.

5.  Also known as inherent vice, the intrinsic instability of the
fabric and components of an objects can lead to its own
physical degradation.
 This is difficult to prevent because it occurs within the
fabric of the material and therefore is a natural
occurrence.
 Deterioration of an object can happen even before the
object is used. How the piece is created can instill
manufacturing defects in the piece This means that
objects can be damaged even before they are used

6.  This would include a body that contains inadequate
qualities of (filler (materials)). A second typical defect is
from poor design and construction. An example of this
would be a ceramic piece with a handle that is too thin to
support the weight of the cup. A third manufacturing
defect includes careless firing. A ceramic piece that has
been fired too rapidly or allowed to dry too fast will crack
or break.

7.  With its delicate nature, ceramics that have been
used over a period of time will sustain cracks,
nicks, and blemishes. Additionally in a museum
environment, damages can occur from packing
storing, and handling of objects.

8.  Damage can occur when ceramics are exposed to
freezing temperatures and frost. The problem occurs
when ice crystals form inside of the pores of the ceramic
piece. The frost inside of the pores will exert pressure
onto the fabric of the pottery and cause the material to
crack and break.

9.  Opposite of frost is heat and humidity. When the humidity
is high molds can begin to form on ceramic, particularly
ones in which there is no glaze. Spores of molds are
found throughout the atmosphere and will attached to
any organic residues nearby, such as ceramics.
Earthenware ceramics are frequently affected due to
their porosity and lack of glaze.

10.  Chemical degradation of objects occurs not in the
physical structure of the object but rather in at the
chemical or compound level.
 The degradation of the chemical component of an object
will hinder or weaken the stability of the object when
exposed to environmental factors such as water, air,
pollution, heat, humidity, and the like.

11.  Water can dissolve or deform ceramics that have
been low fired, i.e. temperatures around 600 °C.
Ceramic fired in high temperatures may also be
susceptible to water if their mineral particles are
soluble in water, for example Gypsum or calcite.

12.  A common degradation issue in ceramics
involves soluble salts. Soluble salts can either enter
the clay body from the environment, for example from
being buried underground for decades, or they are
already naturally occurring due to the components of the
materials or clay used.
 .

13. Life span of ceramics can be increased by
controlling the environment they are
exposed to; operational load sand
temperatures; altering the component
design.
Factors effecting life of ceramic components
include: temperature, external loads,
vibrations, environment, etc.

14.  . In high humidity salts become soluble and in
low humidity they crystallize. The changing
from soluble to crystallization and back
damages the surface of the ceramic because
salt crystals are larger than liquid salt and
therefore will shrink and expand the ceramic
body. Overtime the physical component of
the body will crumble until it is completely
destroyed.

15.  In the realm of conservation there are two distinct
practices: non-interventive and active conservation. Non-
interventive types of conservation are used to control the
surrounding environment such as light, humidity, and
temperature. Active conservation is when a conservator
practices treatments to alleviate physical problems in the
object such as fading, chipping, or breaks.

16.  Ceramics are utilitarian, some pieces are made to
be artwork and therefore displayed. Displaying an
object improperly can cause damages either
physical or chemically from the environment. One
of the most common causes for damages is a
ceramic piece falling over or off a shelf. To prevent
this issue, many historic houses will line storage
and display shelves with a thin layer of ethafoam
(polyethylene foam) or bubble wrap.

17.  A blue board box with an acrylic plastic lid. The
ring is laid upon a layer of carved ethafoam to
prevent it from shifting during handling.
 The most common way in which ceramics
become damaged is when they are stacked one
inside the other. Unless this is part of the original
design, this will typically cause nicks, cracks, or
breaks.

18. One of the cardinal rules in object handling
is to treat every object as if it is fragile and
easily breakable

19. The Degradation of ceramics as a result of
the interaction between the environment or
with the materials that form the object
however, in the case of ceramics,
environmental factors are the major cause.
There are several ways in which ceramics
break down physically and chemically.


20. www.conservationregister.com/downloads/
ceramic.pdf
www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/conservatio
n/departments/ceramics/questions.aspx
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservation_and_re
storation_of_ceramic_objects