[TheForge] enameling

[Demon Buddha]

Bob Smolen wrote:
> 
> I heard one of the demonstrators at the ABANA conference enameled a piece of
> hot iron by applying granulated glass(?) I think. It was easy and very nice
> looking. Can someone describe the process and result of enameling in the
> context of forged work.

	I've never done enameling on iron, but have on brass, copper,
	and precious metals.  For these, the process is as follows:

	The surfaces to be enameled should be clean and free of oxides
	(is this so for iron?).  All areas where enamel is not wanted
	should be masked off with a material whose name I have forgotten,
	though it is maddeningly on the tip of my tounge but won't come.
	It is a bluish paint that dries in the air (sorry for the poor
	memory).  I'm wondering if one could substitute china white oy
	yellow ochre.  Anyone?

	Sprinkle the frit (pulverised glass) onto the area to receive 
	enamel and place into the heat source.  If you are enameling a 
	curved piece, use gum arabic on the surface.  It will act as a 
	glue for the frit.  If you are enameling a curved surface, you 
	paint a thin coat of gum arabic onto it and then sprinkle the 
	frit on the tacky gum.  Fire as usual.

	As the temperature comes up, the frit will melt.  As I recall
	the enameling frits melt at about 1200 F.  I've done mine on a 
	temperature controlled enameling kiln, so I did not have to be 
	vigilant for over heat.  The frit will melt and the surface 
	appearance will take on that "wet" look.  At that time the work 
	should be removed and allowed to cool SLOWLY, preferably in a 
	still air box so that the new enamel doesn't spall due to 
	too-violent contraction.  You can further reduce the rate of
	cooling by setting the hot work on kiln furniture.  Preheating
	the furniture to, say, 500 degrees will further decrease the
	thermal shock to the work.  All this extra care should be
	predicated on the desired outcome.  If you don't mind cracked
	or spalled enamel, then don't worry about it.  Some may even
	want this effect as it has its own appeal.

	What you can do then, if you are doing cloisonn�, is grind the
	surface of the glass until the wires show through.  Refire as
	per above and you will have a nicely defined set of borders
	between regions of differing color.

	Cloisson�. in cross section for those not familiar with it:

          Wire--------|             |------Frit
                      |             |
         _____________|_________ ___|______
        | |___________O_________O________| | <--- metal bezel
        |__________________________________| <--- metal

		First firing

	
          Wire--------|             |------Frit
                      |             |
         _____________|_________ ___|______
        | |___________U_________U________| | <--- metal bezel
        |__________________________________| <--- metal

		Ground and refired

	Please forgive horrible ASCII artwork.