Sanitary Ware Basics: What Is Fire Cracking?

Ceramics can be categorized into daily-use ceramics, artistic ceramics, sanitary ware, architectural ceramics, and other types. This article will focus on sanitary ware. OVS sanitary ware products feature superior quality, comply with the North American ASME A112.19.2-2024/CSA B45.1:24 Ceramic Sanitary Fixtures standard, and meet UPC/CUPC certification requirements, offering both high quality and excellent value.

To help you use OVS sanitaryware more effectively and to educate you on related knowledge under North American standards, we will concisely explain the core characteristics and common issues of our products. All OVS sanitaryware is fired at 1280°C (2340°F), falling within the North American professional porcelain ceramic standard high-temperature range of 1222°C-1300°C (2230°F-2300°F). This firing temperature endows the products with core advantages including high-temperature resistance, wear resistance, strong stain resistance, easy cleaning, and low water absorption.

1.What are the advantages of high temperature ceramics:

① Temperature: The firing temperature of high temperature porcelain is above 1200°C

② Color: the color of high temperature porcelain is more full, delicate and crystal clear

③ Hand feel: high temperature porcelain is smooth and delicate

④ Sound: high temperature porcelain is more crisp

⑤ Texture: High-temperature porcelain has a stronger hardness

The water absorption rate of high-temperature ceramics is less than 0.2%. The product is easy to clean and will not absorb odors, and there will be no cracks on the glazed surface and local water leakage.

The production and delivery process is as follows: Raw material selection → Mold fabrication → Slip casting → Glaze spraying → High-temperature firing → Appearance/glaze/deformation inspection and repair → Accessory installation → Leak detection/flushing testing → Packaging of qualified finished products → Shipment.

Ceramic products are semi-finished goods that undergo high-temperature firing, making them susceptible to uncontrollable factors such as kiln temperature control and natural climate conditions. Consequently, their evaluation possesses certain distinctive characteristics. OVS sanitaryware products are manufactured and inspected in strict compliance with the North American Ceramic Sanitary Ware standard, with product quality consistently exceeding this benchmark. Due to the complexity of the manufacturing process and the substantial size of sanitaryware items, after firing at 1280°C, some toilets may exhibit pinholes or small pores on the inner tank wall, tank bottom, toilet base, or rear surface of the ceramic body, or may develop cracks (also known as firing cracks).

For these minor imperfections that comply with North American standards, We will use “plastic steel clay”, “plastic steel slurry” or “other professional clay” for repairs during quality inspection deal with. Additionally, a very small number of ceramic products may exhibit tiny brown spots or slight bumps on the glaze surface. This is a normal and unavoidable phenomenon, not a quality defect or indicator of substandard products. These do not affect appearance or functionality, will absolutely not leak, and can be used with confidence.

Therefore, there is no need to worry about fire cracks. For ceramic products fired at high temperatures of 1280°C, some fire cracks are considered normal and do not affect usage. Please rest assured.

2. Cleaning and Maintenance Methods for Ceramic Products

① General products can reduce the use of cleaning agents. Please do not use detergent in the water tank. Because chlorine-containing cleaning agents will cause harm to the fittings in the water tank and accelerate aging, resulting in clogging and poor flushing;

② Neutral detergent should be used to clean the ceramic glaze. The use of strong or abrasive cleaning agents will damage the glazed surface of ceramics. Once the glazed surface is damaged, it is prone to problems such as adhesion, dirt, water absorption, deformation, and discoloration;

③ Do not use nylon brush or scouring pad to clean the ceramic glaze, because it will cause wear to the ceramic surface;

④ Avoid direct impact of hard objects on the surface of the product. Do not pour strong and corrosive liquids into ceramic products, so as not to damage the glaze. If these situations are not paid attention to, the problems caused by them are all man-made damages, which are not included in the after-sales quality problems.

The above outlines the fundamentals of sanitary ceramic products under North American standards. We hope distributors and consumers gain a comprehensive understanding of OVS sanitary ceramics' product characteristics. We will continue to refine our production processes, strictly adhere to all North American standards to enhance product quality, and provide you with professional, premium products and services.