Baking

1. A stage in the heating of a clay when the clay particles have lost plasticity and have formed a moderately hard mass composed of particles adhering together, the mass remaining porous. See also: vitrifying Nelson
2. The process of firing shaped clay articles in kilns, in order to give the clay permanent hardness. CTD
3. Heating to a low temperature in order to remove gases. ASM, 1
4. The hardening of rock material by heat from magmatic intrusions or lava flows. Prolonged baking leads to contact-metamorphic effects. AGI

Source: Dictionary of Mining, Mineral, and Related Terms