[TheForge] enameling

Sun Jun 23 12:29:00 2002

Yes...like 79%, just not a chemist and don't want to say it would be
ok to totally flood an operating kiln with it.  It isn't going to get
explosive or anything, but I don't know if any other chemical
reactions are going to happen at high temps and in the presence of
materials I am not aware of or familiar with.  "Standard Disclaimer"

   Jeff   ><>

----- Original Message -----
From: "Shannell Sugrue" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, June 23, 2002 9:10 AM
Subject: Re: [TheForge] enameling

> isnt the atmosphere mostly nitrogen?
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jeff Harding" <[email protected]>
> To: <[email protected]>
> Sent: 23 June, 2002 11:00 PM
> Subject: Re: [TheForge] enameling
>
>
> > Or a kiln in a nitrogen atmosphere?  Though I'm not certain what
the
> > nitrogen would do at high temps, may be a problem there too...
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Demon Buddha" <[email protected]>
> > To: <[email protected]>
> > Sent: Sunday, June 23, 2002 10:33 AM
> > Subject: Re: [TheForge] enameling
> >
> >
> > >
> > >
> > > 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.
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