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lowering glaze firing temperature

updated fri 28 feb 97

 

Pamela Jo Stamper on wed 5 feb 97

Hi all,
Just a brief question which I hope has a simple solution (Things
seldom do work simply, but I shall remain optimistic until you all tell me
to forget it). I have inherited a half dozen or more gallons of ^6 and
unknown ^ glaze for a middle school art program. The problem is that we
only fire to ^06 now. Is there a way to lower the melting point of these
commercial glazes? I don't know exactly what is in them, but am willing to
put a test in the kiln each firing until I get something we can use.
Thanks Pamela Stamper stamps@seasurf.com

Lili Krakowski on fri 7 feb 97

Possible yes...worth it? Dunno. My MAIN concern here is NOT can it be
done but SHOULD it. Reason: How old are these glazes? Lots of OLDER
glazes contain ingrdients that now are considered serious NONOS in the
classroom--i.e. they DO NOT pass muster for use with kiddied. If there
is lead or barium or such like in the glaze, lowering the melting point
won't remove it. I would write the manufacturer and ASK: Is your #123
glaze now considered safe for kiddie use.

Lili Krakowski lkkrakow@edisto.cofc.edu

On Wed, 5 Feb 1997, Pamela Jo Stamper wrote:

> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Hi all,
> Just a brief question which I hope has a simple solution (Things
> seldom do work simply, but I shall remain optimistic until you all tell me
> to forget it). I have inherited a half dozen or more gallons of ^6 and
> unknown ^ glaze for a middle school art program. The problem is that we
> only fire to ^06 now. Is there a way to lower the melting point of these
> commercial glazes? I don't know exactly what is in them, but am willing to
> put a test in the kiln each firing until I get something we can use.
> Thanks Pamela Stamper stamps@seasurf.com
>