Porcelain (7th century CE)

Porcelain from the Tang dynasty (7th century CE) achieved translucence by firing kaolin clay at 1,280°C, a temperature 30% higher than that used for standard stoneware. This invention dominated global ceramics trade, comprising 60% of China's maritime exports by the Song dynasty, and it is 50% lighter than Cast Iron (#6) while being impervious to acids. The name 'china' still echoes this mastery, with modern porcelain remaining 90% harder than typical glazed earthenware.