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vermiculite added to clay body

updated sat 17 oct 98

 

McDonalds on thu 15 oct 98

Has anyone ever heard of adding vermiculite (expanded mica) to a clay body =
to
use in making ovens and fire places, like the mexican bottle shaped =
terracotta
fire places? I have heard this mentioned as a way to stop cracking in the =
clay
exposed to the fire but don't know any specifics, like how much would you =
need?
Any one out there tried this? TIA Sheryl McDonald

Louis Katz on fri 16 oct 98

We make our Raku kilns with scrap clay vermiculite and plastic fiber. Put in as
much vermiculite as you can and still have something that sticks together. the
Fiber really helps too.
Louis

McDonalds wrote:

> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Has anyone ever heard of adding vermiculite (expanded mica) to a clay body to
> use in making ovens and fire places, like the mexican bottle shaped terracotta
> fire places? I have heard this mentioned as a way to stop cracking in the cla
> exposed to the fire but don't know any specifics, like how much would you need
> Any one out there tried this? TIA Sheryl McDonald


--
Louis Katz
lkatz@falcon.tamucc.edu
http://www2.tamucc.edu/lkatz/lkatz/
(512) 994-5987

PMFox on fri 16 oct 98

McDonalds wrote:
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Has anyone ever heard of adding vermiculite (expanded mica) to a clay body < >

Sheryl--
I tried mixing vermiculite into a midfire brown clay body once..
results were underwhelming, so say the least. I had hoped for a
honeycomb like effect, but instead the fired results looked much like
the mass did on the wheel.. a lumpy mess. Very difficult to throw.

I've been using paperclay for a while now, and would heartily recommend
it over vermiculite. Working properties are great, and finished effect
is not greatly altered.

Good luck!
Patti