The Formulation of Ceramic Bodies using the Toba Volcanic Ash of Lenggong

The amalgamation of science and art is indisputable in the production of ceramic clay bodies for the creation of an artwork. It covers all stages of the production process starting from the formulation of raw materials (clay) to the final glazed products. This research observes the transformation of the clay body formulation by using alternative silica from Toba volcanic ash. Malaysia is located outside the ring of fire, but through the archaeological findings, there are volcanic ash deposits found at several places such as in Kedah, Perak, Selangor and Pahang. From previous studies, it is proven that this volcanic ash originated from the volcanic eruption of Toba in northern Sumatra around 74,000 years ago. Among all of these findings, volcanic ash in which situated at Lenggong, Perak is considered as the most suitable for this research because it is categorized as a primary and through the laboratory studies that has been conducted, it is found that it has sufficient amount of silica to be used as alternative material in producing ceramic bodies. Silica is one of the main ingredients in a glass formation. In the production of porcelain bodies, silica has been used at a rate of 15% to 25%. The success in producing ceramic bodies using volcanic ash opens up possibilities for diversifying the products made from volcanic ash, a material which has been wasted before and this will reduce the cost of raw materials. At the same time it is considered as an innovation of ceramic product with the specialties of its own including the historical values that come through the transformation process of the body to the creation of ceramic works displayed at galleries.