Ceramic tile is made from which material and processed how?

• A. Glass; melted and formed
• B. Cement; poured and cured
• C. Wood; carved and finished
• D. Clay; pressed into shape and baked

Answer: (D)

Ceramic tile is made from clay, a natural earth material, and it is formed into shape and then fired in a kiln to harden. The clay mix is pressed or extruded into tile forms, dried, and then heated to high temperatures. This firing causes the clay minerals to vitrify, creating a hard, durable, and often water-resistant surface. Glazes are commonly applied to the surface to add color and a protective coating, with another brief firing to set the glaze. This process differentiates ceramic tile from other materials: glass tiles come from melted glass, cement tiles are cast from cement and aggregates and cured, and wood tiles are cut from timber and finished rather than fired.