October 20, 2006, Newsletter Issue #214: Making a basic glaze
Tip of the Week
To make a glaze, we need to find sources of Silica, Alumina and a flux which are convenient to use, in a form that does not dissolve in water. Glaze materials can be broken down into their chemical compositions, and from there we can see what the effect of each material will be.
To provide silica in the glaze, we need a material that contains:
SiO2=Silicon Dioxide, comes from flint, quartz and pure silica.
To provide alumina in the glaze, we need a material that contains:
Al2O3=Aluminum Oxide, comes from feldspar, cryolite, clay.
FLUXES
Silica and alumina would create a glaze if fired hot enough. However, ceramic kilns do not reach the temperatures required. Therefore, we need to add fluxes, which lower the melting point.
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