Fibre additions in clay: an alternative medium for studio ceramics

The objective of this research is to develop a hybrid material by integrating natural and artificial fibres into clay with the intention of changing its nature, structure and versatility.

The project explores the properties of clay reinforced with natural fibres (cellulose) as a structural model and examines in parallel the possibility of introducing artificial fibres (refractory) into clay with the aim of maintaining its fired strength.

Testing and experimenting has taken into account reviewed documented experience, technical information, expertise and knowledge of various artists. In addition, it made extensive use of Electron Microscopy, Thermal and Mechanical Analysis, thus generating a few fibre-clay composite solutions and deriving hypothesis on their fired and unfired structural viability. The practical results obtained in the present study became a base for the analysis of the influences produced by different fibres (cellulose, aramid, Nomex, Kevlar, Polyacrylonitril, Viscose, Ceramic and Saffil fibres) on the strength, plasticity, shrinkage and workability of clay.

The research also reveals that a combination of materials developed and modified throughout the experimental process becomes a means in developing new media.