Goerg & Schneider Paperclay 234 stoneware clay, white to pale cream

Paperclay 234 – fibre-reinforced stoneware clay for throwing and handbuilding

Goerg & Schneider Paperclay 234 is a stoneware clay containing flexible cellulose fibres, which fires white to pale cream. You can throw it on the wheel or use it for handbuilding. The fibres bond together like felt, so thin-walled pieces are possible, as are large, fragile sculptures.

The clay contains no grog (0 %) and therefore stays fine. This helps if you want to make smooth surfaces. The firing range is 1050 to 1240 °C.

Allowing for firing and shrinkage

The clay shrinks by 7 % as it dries. During firing there is further shrinkage depending on the temperature, reaching 8 % at 1240 °C. Make your piece larger accordingly. At the same time, water absorption falls as the temperature rises, from 11 % at 1070 °C to 3 % at 1240 °C. At 1240 °C the clay therefore becomes much denser.

Working and glazing

You need a kiln for firing. A domestic oven is good for drying at most. Choose glazes that suit the firing range of 1050 to 1240 °C. The thermal expansion coefficient of 62 (fired at 1240 °C) helps you match glazes to the clay. A test piece shows you in advance how glaze and clay work together.

Goerg & Schneider Paperclay 234 product details

• Manufacturer: Goerg & Schneider, body 0234
• Type: fibre-reinforced stoneware clay (paperclay) with cellulose fibres
• Fired colour: white to pale cream
• Firing range: 1050–1240 °C
• Grog content: 0 %
• Drying shrinkage: 7 % (at 110 °C)
• Firing shrinkage: 5 % at 1070 °C, 7 % at 1140 °C, 8 % at 1240 °C
• Water absorption: 11 % at 1070 °C, 6 % at 1140 °C, 3 % at 1240 °C
• Thermal expansion coefficient: 62 (20–500 °C, fired at 1240 °C)
• Use: throwing, handbuilding

You will also need: a kiln for firing; glazes suited to the firing range, if you want to glaze.

The fibres burn away during firing. This can produce more smoke. Make sure the kiln chamber is well ventilated.