Abstract
Physical properties of Kutani-ware glaze were investigated considering the glaze slurry's particle size distribution. Even for identical glaze compositions, physical properties, such as the thermal expansion coefficient, changed with the amount of coarse particles in the glaze. The amount of quartz remaining in the glaze after firing was strongly influenced by the amount of coarse particles in the glaze slurry. The thermal expansion coefficient of the glaze was calculated using the Appen factor; the value was approximately equal to the experimental one. Too much quartz in the glaze after firing rendered the glass parts in the product inhomogeneous and its composition became rich in alkaline elements. In contrast, less quartz in the glaze after firing yielded homogeneity of glass parts in the product and created a silica-rich composition. The amount of residual quartz in the glaze must affect the crazing and over-glaze color exfoliation.
