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flame proof clay body

updated fri 1 jan 10

 

Carolyn Boeri on thu 31 dec 09


Hi all,
I wonder if anyone knows of a clay body formula for a perhaps wood fire =3D
of high temperature that would be capable of withstanding direct flame. =3D
I made a clay body one time with some Zapotec Indians in San Marcos Mex. =
=3D
that fired for 1 1/2 hrs in their courtyard under tim, dung, gathered =3D
dead tree limbs and old lumber and now I wish I had paid more attention =3D
and asked more questions. I just thought it might be nice to make a =3D
water fountain out of flame proof clay so I could do some sort of water =3D
and fire combination. Maybe make a head of steam out of a stream of =3D
water over the fire, early morning stream...just a thought,
Carolyn under a full Vermont blue moon and shadows that will be under my =
=3D
eyes if I don' t try for some more sleep.

William & Susan Schran User on thu 31 dec 09


On 12/31/09 5:17 AM, "Carolyn Boeri" wrote:

> Hi all,
> I wonder if anyone knows of a clay body formula for a perhaps wood fire o=
f
> high temperature that would be capable of withstanding direct flame. I ma=
de a
> clay body one time with some Zapotec Indians in San Marcos Mex. that fire=
d for
> 1 1/2 hrs in their courtyard under tim, dung, gathered dead tree limbs a=
nd
> old lumber and now I wish I had paid more attention and asked more questi=
ons.
> I just thought it might be nice to make a water fountain out of flame pro=
of
> clay so I could do some sort of water and fire combination. Maybe make a =
head
> of steam out of a stream of water over the fire, early morning stream...j=
ust a
> thought,
> Carolyn under a full Vermont blue moon and shadows that will be under my =
eyes
> if I don' t try for some more sleep.

The clay and firing you encountered in Mexico was probably a low-fire
surface (near surface) clay mixed with a temper. The firing was a very low
temperature, just enough to change the clay to ceramic. This low-fired
porous clay is able to withstand direct flame because of it's porosity.

I worked with an earthenware clay for a number of years. Made lots of
functional ware.
Visited a friend who had bought a teapot of mine.
Walked into the kitchen and saw the teapot over the burner of the stove wit=
h
the burner on!
Told the friend the pot was not intended for that purpose.
She had been keeping tea hot for months this way.

This story points out low-fire ware can better withstand temperature
variations and flame impingement.

If you do wish to explore high temperature flameware, here's a link to one
potter's method:


Bill

--
William "Bill" Schran
wschran@cox.net
wschran@nvcc.edu
http://www.creativecreekartisans.com

Doug Trott on thu 31 dec 09


I can imagine that a potter having that formula might consider it
proprietary - it's a good niche! But if I were to ask anyone, it would be
Tom Wirt http://www.claycoyote.com/

Doug

On Thu, Dec 31, 2009 at 4:17 AM, Carolyn Boeri wr=
ote:

> Hi all,
> I wonder if anyone knows of a clay body formula for a perhaps wood fire o=
f
> high temperature that would be capable of withstanding direct flame.
>