The workability of a body is mostly judged by industrial standards. However the process of shaping of clay is differs based on the method used in the forming process like hand pressing or mechanical pressing or throwing in a wheel etc. And hence the method of testing must be adapted to suit the particular working process. In the age old hand forming process, the thumb of the worker is the most sensitive instrument used for measuring the plasticity. Even today it is the only important and cheapest instrument used for measuring the plasticity across the world by the potters. By experience and little practice one can use thumb as a plasticity meter for judging the plasticity with high precision.
To be contd………….
