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Rubber or plastic coating ceramic

Can anyone tell me if it is possible to coat a ceramic, e.g., a mug with a rubber/plastic coating?
Thanks

Emma Gordon
Product developer - United Kingdom
November 16, 2010

What are you actually hoping to achieve? It is possible, but probably wouldn't last. Ceramics (glazed in particular) are not easy to bond things to. If what you wanted was a rubbery mug then perhaps you may be better getting one made from metal and treating it so that the rubber would stick.

Ciaron Murphy
Aerospace - South Wales, United Kingdom
November 25, 2010

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Can I ask how you would suggest it could be done.
It is for a mug but we would like it to be ceramic with some plastic/rubber detailing rather than using a metal or straight plastic for the mug.
As you mentioned it seems to be very difficult to bond anything to glazed ceramic but we do use a matte finished ceramic which I would think would have a better surface for this process.
I appreciate any help that can be given.
Thanks

Emma Gordon
Product developer - United Kingdom
December 6, 2010

There is a product that claims to be able to put a rubberized plastic coating onto ceramics, I found it not too long ago hoping to put a rubber handle on a tool I use frequently at work. The only product I know of that does this is Plastidip, and I have no experience with it on ceramics, but their website claims it works on ceramics as well. I imagine there are other brands of the same or similar product that should accomplish what you are looking for.

Daniel Bourgeois
- Boonville, New York, USA
December 8, 2010

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If you can get it to stick there are several options. If you want something decorative I would have thought you might want a very clear resin. Bentley Creative Chemicals in the UK have a range of decorative resins, some of which are very clear. Speaking to a resin supplier is always one of your best options.

If it were me I would produce an aluminium or titanium mug, phosphoric acid anodise it and then coat in a very clear resin. You might still get the iridescence of the anodise showing through the resin.

There are options for surface treatment of even glazed ceramics but you are heading off into the world of potentially expensive technology. Abrasion would help but would damage the glaze. Then you are looking at clod plasma or flame treatments both of which may be untested.

Ciaron Murphy
Aerospace - South Wales United Kingdom
December 14, 2010

I tried my Plastidip on a piece of glazed pottery that was given to me and it sticks well if you do not tamper with it during the curing process. It can be plied back off from the piece after curing, but doing so seems as though it MUST be a deliberate action. there are no concerns of it falling off of its own lack of adhesion.

Daniel Bourgeois
- Boonville, New York, USA
December 21, 2010