Concept:
Black core is a firing defect in ceramic bodies. It occurs when carbonaceous matter inside the ceramic body is not completely burnt out during firing.
Step 1: Ceramic raw materials may contain organic impurities or carbonaceous matter.
Step 2: During firing, these carbon-containing materials should burn out properly.
Step 3: If firing is too fast or oxygen supply is insufficient, carbon does not burn completely.
Step 4: The unburnt or trapped carbon remains inside the body.
Step 5: This produces a dark or black region inside the ceramic body, known as black core defect.
Therefore, black core defect occurs due to:
\[
\boxed{\text{Trapped carbon}}
\]