Temporary binders are usually made of organic molecules able to promote a binding action with regard to the raw materials of the mixture, especially with clays.

Chemically speaking, a molecule of temporary binder contains functional groups (parts of the molecule able to chemically interact with other materials) that produce a binding effect between the micelles and the hard inorganic raw materials. It basically links together the inorganic particles producing a crosslink net that increases the resistance of the tiles after the drying process.

The temporary binder is usually added inside the mills during the raw materials grinding process or directly inside the slurry (the mix of clays, raw materials and water).

Temporary binders (so called according to their ability to bind the tile only during the pre-firing phase) are one of the best solutions to increase the dry tile’s mechanical resistance.

They differently act from tout court binders that, once they are added to the ceramic mixture, permanently increase the mechanical resistance of the tile, even after the firing process.