Products Material knowledge Ceramic

“Ceramic has proven to be ideal for sanitaryware manufacture at Duravit and has become indispensable for bathroom products, such as washbasins, WCs, bidets and urinals. If there were an even better material for our quality products, we would use it,” confirms Prof. Dr. Frank Richter, Chairman of the Management Board at Duravit. 

The sanitary ceramics process chain starts with nature
The ceramic matrix consists exclusively of naturally-occurring raw materials. As with every recipe, it’s important to achieve the right mix.

The ceramic matrix consists exclusively of naturally-occurring raw materials.

Clay and kaolin as key components of sanitary ceramics are mineral compounds resulting from the disintegration of granite. Clay is used in manufacture to form raw ceramic. Later, during the firing process, kaolin ensures that the mass has the necessary firing stability. Finely ground quartz and feldspar are added to this mix. Quartz influences thermal expansion and thus ensures the good adhesion of the glaze to the ceramic before firing.  Feldspar serves as a flux and allows the glass-like fusion of the particles in the mass, making it harder.To make the glaze, primary materials quartz, chalk, feldspar, dolomite and opacifiers are ground with water and screened, while the ferruginous matter is eliminated with magnets. After checking for the correct mixture and adding an adhesive, the finished glaze is applied to the blanks.

At the start of the sanitary ceramic process chain, some of the advantages of this material become immediately apparent: thanks to the extremely high thermal stability of the natural material, which can be fired at a temperature of approximately 1280°C. This, in turn, results in extremely solid products.

Sanitary ceramic – extremely effective and durable
These benefits are demonstrated to their best advantage when ceramic is used in highly frequented public sanitary facilities. Thanks to the material’s solidity and wear-resistance, even stubbing out a cigarette on the ceramic will cause no damage.

High-performance ceramic is even resistant to extreme temperatures, both hot and cold.

The chemical resistance to acids and alkalis also guarantees the long service life and durability of ceramic sanitaryware: the hygienically smooth surface glaze is wear and scratch-resistant and is thus resilient to the abrasive cleaning agents that are frequently used in the sanitary facilities of public areas. Even concentrated hydrochloric acid fails to leave a mark on ceramic. Easy-clean and easy-care sanitary ceramic continues to be the material of choice in the health sector, for example, to promote hospital hygiene. As a biocompatible material, sanitary ceramic also feels extremely pleasant to the touch and is body-friendly.

High-performance ceramic is even resistant to extreme temperatures, both hot and cold. The material is also absolutely lightfast: sanitary ceramic retains its color even when subjected to high incident light radiation.

“Hand made” quality assurance.

Design from ceramic to the complete bathroom
Ceramic’s functional advantages are complemented by the material’s countless design possibilities. With a wealth of technical expertise and an inherent instinct for craftsmanship, Duravit implements the bathroom ideas of high-profile design partners, which is further made possible by the adaptability of ceramic. Due to the fluid consistency of the sanitary ceramic matrix, the blanks can be poured directly into the molds where they solidify. Since the ceramic can be molded before firing, it allows for a large range of variants within the individual ceramic ranges.  As such, customer benefit is at the forefront: each range of bathroom ceramics offers the appropriate sizes and dimensions to meet a wide variety of requirements and room layouts, whether for commercial projects or private bathrooms.

At the same time, Duravit offers ceramic ranges to satisfy every taste and to meet every budget – proverbial good design “from jeans to dinner jacket.”

Currently, white is the color of choice that is determining the look of sanitary objects in the bathroom. The inside finish of the washbasins in the 2nd floor and Starck X bathroom ranges, however, have been given an exclusive touch thanks to the special glazes developed in-house with either a matt stainless steel or a glossy platinum finish. As a supplier of complete bathrooms, Duravit is always mindful of the interplay between the various bathroom products within a fully-fitted bathroom. This means that the sanitary ceramic is in perfect harmony with the bathroom furniture, tubs, shower trays and accessories and also makes an elegant statement in highly functional bathrooms.

WonderGliss protective surface by Duravit
Washbasins, WCs, bidets and urinals featuring the WonderGliss protective surface stay smooth, clean and attractive much longer as the high-tech coating is baked-in via a special method, which results in long-term protection. The secret of WonderGliss is that the coating simply does not give grime a chance: water forms large droplets and flows away, taking all the impurities with it. And where fewer residues build up, cleaning also poses less of problem since dirt and limescale are, for the most, part rinsed away with the water. The surface only has to be cleaned with a mild detergent – using no scrubbing and scouring. This is not only kind to the environment, but it saves time and money as well.When manufacturing the coating, Duravit’s Hornberg-based sanitary specialists also refuse to compromise when it comes to the environment. Only raw materials that are not harmful to health are used in the manufacture of WonderGliss.