Project #4; the ceramic exhaust

The ceramic project was on hold for a while. Working in ceramic in my wood/metal workshop is no good combo. So during the Dutch Design Week I was able to do some work again. Instead of my original plan to cast it in porcelain I decided to press mould the exhaust.

I made a chamber with 'cups' to diffuse the air flow.

drying tent

This is the second one with diamond shaped cups for diffusion. Plus a nice one sticking out at the back...

ready for firing to 1240 Celsius

 After firing the second exhaust turned out to have shrunk more on one side, I used two different types of clay; one had more molocite in it. They are both still in one piece and have no cracks. next is glazing...

project#4: the ceramic exhaust

For a while I have kept myself busy trying to make a ceramic muffler/exhausts. Technically I should be possible for it can stand the heat. Esthetically it could be mind-blowing, just throwing on the pottery wheel any shape you like.The only challenge is to find a solution for the vibration when you driving, but my guess is it is possible.
My first idea was to make it a cast porcelain exhaust.The bright white in contrast with the black soot.

 So far I've made a casting mould and casted a few,but the shrinkage of 16% and the total height of almost 60cm didn't give any usable result.
The next step is to press mould a few with a low shrinkage clay. I have to try and keep the walls thin and strong.