DEVELOPMENT OF UNLEADED GLAZES FOR CERAMIC TABLEWARE

The research carried out by CERAM Research over the past three years in developing unleaded glazes for ceramic tableware is reviewed. After briefly outlining the developments in US lead legislation, the challenges and problems facing the industry in producing unleaded glazes are discussed. This then leads into consideration of the compositional options available for unleaded glazes and decoration, the direction of research at CERAM Research, the thinking behind it, and the current status. An appraisal of the strengths and weaknesses of the materials emerging from the research is given, based on laboratory and industrial trials. Finally, consideration is given to the direction further research ought to take.