Editing Porcelain (section)

== Applications other than decorative and tableware ==

=== Electric insulators ===
[[File:Insulators for 66kV Power Line (Ibaraki,Japan) 02.jpg|thumb|A string of 8 insulators on a 66 kV transmission line]]
Porcelain has been used for electrical insulators since at least 1878,<ref>'Insulators For High Voltages.' J. S. T. Looms. Institution of Electrical Engineers. 1988. Pg. 4</ref> with another source reporting earlier use of porcelain insulators on the telegraph line between Frankfurt and Berlin.<ref>'High-Voltage Insulators: Basics and Trends for Producers, Users and Students.' J. Liebermann. Schulze. 2012. Pg. 15</ref> It is widely used for insulators in electrical power transmission system due to its high stability of electrical, mechanical and thermal properties even in harsh environments.<ref>'Development Of Electrical Porcelain Insulators From Local Clays' C.C. Okolo; O.A. Ezechukwu; E.N. Ifeagwu E. N & R.C. Unegbu. International Journal of Engineering Innovation & Research. Volume 3, Issue 6, ISSN: 2277 – 566</ref>

A body for electrical porcelain typically contains varying proportions of ball clay, kaolin, feldspar, quartz, calcined alumina and calcined bauxite. A variety of secondary materials can also be used, such as binders which burn off during firing.<ref>'Manufacture of Porcelain Insulators' INMR magazine June 2022</ref> UK manufacturers typically fired the porcelain to a maximum of 1200&nbsp;°C in an oxidising atmosphere,<ref>'Insulators For High Voltages.' J. S. T. Looms. Institution of Electrical Engineers. 1988. Pg. 60</ref> whereas reduction firing is standard practice at Chinese manufacturers.<ref>'The Influence of Kiln Atmospheres on Electrical Porcelain Firing' Hong Yin, Xhengqun Liu, Xiaoli Hu. Ceram. Eng. Sci. Proc. 15. [1] 176-179. (1994)</ref>

In 2018, a porcelain [[Bushing (electrical)|bushing]] insulator manufactured by [[NGK]] in [[Handa, Aichi|Handa]], [[Aichi Prefecture]], [[Japan]] was certified as the world's largest ceramic structure by [[Guinness World Records]]. It is 11.3 m in height and 1.5 m in diameter.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/521076-largest-ceramic-structure#:~:text=NGK%20INSULATORS%2C%20LTD.&text=The%20largest%20ceramic%20structure%20is,achieved%20by%20NGK%20INSULATORS%2C%20LTD | title=Largest ceramic structure | date=25 September 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ngk-insulators.com/en/news/20190913_10590.html | title=Transformer Insulators Recognized by Guinness World Records &#124; News }}</ref>

The global market for high-voltage insulators was estimated to be worth US$4.95 billion in 2015, of which porcelain accounts for just over 48%.<ref>'Overview of World Markets for Insulators & Bushings' INMR magazine Sept. 2016.</ref>

=== Chemical porcelain ===
[[File:Abdampfschalen verschiedene Groessen.jpg|thumb|Evaporating dishes made of chemical porcelain]]
A type of porcelain characterised by low thermal expansion, high mechanical strength and high chemical resistance. Used for laboratory ware, such as reaction vessels, combustion boats, [[evaporating dish]]es and [[Büchner funnel]]s. Raw materials for the body include kaolin, quartz, feldspar, calcined alumina, and possibly also low percentages of other materials. A number of International standards specify the properties of the porcelain, such as [[ASTM International|ASTM]] C515.<ref>'Industrial Ceramics. Singer F. & Singer S.S. Chapman & Hall. 1971</ref><ref>'Dictionary of Ceramic Science and Engineering' 3rd edition. I.J.McColm. Springer. 2013. pg. 89</ref>

=== Tiles ===
[[File:Dakinbldg.jpg|thumb|[[Dakin Building]], Brisbane, California, faced with porcelain tiles]]
A porcelain tile has been defined as 'a ceramic mosaic tile or paver that is generally made by the dust-pressed method of a composition resulting in a tile that is dense, fine-grained, and smooth with sharply formed face, usually impervious and having colors of the porcelain type which are usually of a clear, luminous type or granular blend thereof.'<ref>Standard Terminology Of Ceramic Whitewares And Related Products. ASTM C242-01 (2007). (ASTM International)</ref> Manufacturers are found across the world<ref>'Manufacturers Of Porcelain Tiles' Ceram.World Rev. 6, No.19, 1996 ... 'The main manufacturers of porcelain tiles in Italy, Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania and the Americas are listed.'</ref> with Italy being the global leader, producing over 380&nbsp;million square metres in 2006.<ref>"Italian Porcelain Tile Production At The Top" Ind.Ceram. 27, No.2, 2007.</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=How are Porcelain Tiles Made? |url=https://www.londonstone.co.uk/blog/secret-perfect-porcelain/ |website=London Stone |publisher=London Stone |access-date=14 March 2025}}</ref>

Historic examples of rooms decorated entirely in porcelain tiles can be found in several palaces including ones at [[Galleria Sabauda]] in [[Turin]], Museo di Doccia in [[Sesto Fiorentino]], [[Museo di Capodimonte]] in Naples, the [[Royal Palace of Madrid]] and the nearby [[Royal Palace of Aranjuez]].<ref>[http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2792293957101026524 Porcelain Room, Aranjuez] {{dead link|date=December 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Comprehensive but shaky video</ref> and the [[Porcelain Tower of Nanjing]]. More recent examples include the [[Dakin Building]] in [[Brisbane, California]] and the [[Gulf Building (Houston)|Gulf Building]] in Houston, Texas, which when constructed in 1929 had a {{convert|21|m|ft|adj=mid|-long}} porcelain logo on its exterior.<ref name="Porcelain Tile 1992">"Porcelain Tile: The Revolution Is Only Beginning." Tile Decorative Surf. 42, No.11, 1992.</ref>

=== Sanitaryware ===
[[File:Bourdaloue dsc02723.jpg|thumbnail|right|Porcelain chamber pots from Vienna.]]
Because of its durability, inability to rust and impermeability, glazed porcelain has been in use for personal hygiene since at least the third quarter of the 17th century. During this period, porcelain chamber pots were commonly found in higher-class European households, and the term "bourdaloue" was used as the name for the pot.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-bourdaloue.htm |title=What is a Bourdaloue? |work=wisegeek.com |year=2014 |access-date=27 March 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213055214/http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-bourdaloue.htm |archive-date=13 December 2014 }}</ref>

Whilst modern sanitaryware, such as toilets and washbasins, is made of ceramic materials, porcelain is no longer used and vitreous china is the dominant material.<ref>'Sanitaryware' Domenico Fortuna. Faenza (Gruppo Editoriale), 2000</ref> Bath tubs are not made of porcelain, but of [[Industrial porcelain enamel|enamel]] on a metal base, usually of [[cast iron]]. Porcelain enamel is a [[marketing]] term used in the US, and is not porcelain but [[vitreous enamel]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/autos/drive/buick-made-bathtubs-he-built-cars|title=Buick made bathtubs before he built cars &#124; Las Vegas Review-Journal|work=reviewjournal.com|year=2014|access-date=27 March 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141004081625/http://www.reviewjournal.com/autos/drive/buick-made-bathtubs-he-built-cars|archive-date=4 October 2014}}</ref>

=== Dental porcelain ===
[[File:Bridge from dental porcelain.jpg|thumb|Dental porcelain bridge]]
[[Dental porcelain]] is used for crowns, bridges and veneers. A formulation of dental porcelain is 70-85% [[feldspar]], 12-25% [[quartz]], 3-5% [[kaolin]], up to 15% [[glass]] and around 1% colourants.<ref>'A Clinical Guide To Applied Dental Materials' S. J. Bonsor and G. J. Pearson. Elsevier 2013</ref>