Porcelain

Porcelain is a ceramic material made by heating materials including Kaolin in a kiln to temperatures between 1200C and 1400C.  It is a very heat resistent material making it good for kitchens where hot pans can be placed on the countertops.  Its very hard resisting scratches. Easy to clean, and it has UV light resistence, making it good for outdoor projects.  However it is also brittle, and easy to crack.