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patching for broken kiln bricks

updated wed 30 nov 11

 

John Rodgers on tue 29 nov 11


In moving to my new studio, a brick in the lid of one of my electric
kilns got broken on a corner (ten sided lid). A chunk was broken off
right next to the metal band surrounding the lid. It should hold once
repaired because the band should keep everything in place. My question
is - what best to patch it with. I was thinking of mixing some ITC 100
with crumbled K-26 brick and plugging the hole. Has anyone done this?
Are there better things?

Anyone?

Thanks

John

--
John Rodgers
Clayartist and Moldmaker
88'GL VW Bus Driver
Chelsea, AL
Http://www.moldhaus.com

Steve Mills on tue 29 nov 11


John,=3D20
Sodium Silicate (the runny version) is the basic ingredient of virtually al=
l=3D
kiln cements. I use it with a bit of filler such as whiting or china clay,=
e=3D
nough to make a soft paste on pre-dampened brick, but you could use it neat=
o=3D
n your lid. Be sure to strap it up and leave it over night before use.=3D20
Another trick is to add about 15% china clay and no more than 5% water and =
u=3D
se it as a sealant on brick to reduce dusting.=3D20

Steve M


Steve Mills
Bath
UK
www.mudslinger.me.uk
Sent from my Ipod touch

On 29 Nov 2011, at 07:00, John Rodgers wrote:

> In moving to my new studio, a brick in the lid of one of my electric
> kilns got broken on a corner (ten sided lid). A chunk was broken off
> right next to the metal band surrounding the lid. It should hold once
> repaired because the band should keep everything in place. My question
> is - what best to patch it with. I was thinking of mixing some ITC 100
> with crumbled K-26 brick and plugging the hole. Has anyone done this?
> Are there better things?
>=3D20
> Anyone?
>=3D20
> Thanks
>=3D20
> John
>=3D20
> --
> John Rodgers
> Clayartist and Moldmaker
> 88'GL VW Bus Driver
> Chelsea, AL
> Http://www.moldhaus.com

Vince Pitelka on tue 29 nov 11


Steve Mills wrote:
"Sodium Silicate (the runny version) is the basic ingredient of virtually
all kiln cements. I use it with a bit of filler such as whiting or china
clay, enough to make a soft paste on pre-dampened brick, but you could use
it neat on your lid. Be sure to strap it up and leave it over night before
use. Another trick is to add about 15% china clay and no more than 5% water
and use it as a sealant on brick to reduce dusting."

Hi Steve -
I know that a lot of people use sodium silicate for homemade kiln cements,
but as I understand it, most of the commercial high-duty use calcium
aluminate cement, or a combination of sodium silicate and calcium aluminate
cement. The latter has the advantage of setting up like concrete but being
very low in flux, thus it maintains its strength at high temperatures.
- Vince

Vince Pitelka
Appalachian Center for Craft
Tennessee Tech University
vpitelka@dtccom.net
http://iweb.tntech.edu/wpitelka/

Steve Mills on tue 29 nov 11


Thanks Vince,
I didn't know the proper name for that one. I find the mixture as described
works well enough for my needs.

Steve M

On Nov 29, 2011 3:42 PM, "Vince Pitelka" wrote:
>
> Hi Steve -
> I know that a lot of people use sodium silicate for homemade kiln cements=
,
> but as I understand it, most of the commercial high-duty use calcium
> aluminate cement, or a combination of sodium silicate and calcium
aluminate
> cement. The latter has the advantage of setting up like concrete but
being
> very low in flux, thus it maintains its strength at high temperatures.
> - Vince
>
> Vince Pitelka
> Appalachian Center for Craft
> Tennessee Tech University
> vpitelka@dtccom.net
> http://iweb.tntech.edu/wpitelka/