Heatwork

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heatwork 

(temperature X time = heatwork)

In the ceramics industry, the combined effect of temperature and time is called heatwork, and is one of the critical aspects of successfully firing materials.

Pyrometric cones deform at particular heatwork values, thus producing temperature equivalents, not actual temperature values. Firing can take place over a range of temperatures. Some products have a wide range range, while others have a very narrow range. Firing to a slightly lower temperature requires the material to be held at that temperature for a longer time (just as would be done if one were baking a turkey). This is because it takes time for material to absorb all the heat needed to properly fire it.

When the amount of heatwork for two firings is the same, the pieces will look identical, even if one is fired to a higher temperature for a short time and another is fired at a lower temperature for a longer time.

[edit] External links

• Temperature Equivalents, °F for Cones 022-42