Paulette Carr on fri 28 mar 03
This is in the realm of I was wondering, and whom shall I ask??? ... I am
just betting that someone on the list has the answer.
Lately, I have been reading several books on ^6 glazes in an attempt to
understand what oxides and their sourcing materials are used in mid-fire vs
high-fire oxidation. Although I fire to ^9, I want to know what is
happening, and why I would make the choice of one material over another.
Bailey (who seems to prefer the use of ZnO to B2O3 for ^6 glazes) lists ZnO
as one of the alkaline earths (p. 20, 21). Zn is not a member of the
alkaline earth metals (Ca, Mg, Ba, Sr, and Ra), but is a non-transition metal
element (full d electron shell) whose family consists of cadmium and mercury.
Other than being mistaken, does anyone know why he would classify it as an
alkaline earth? Do you think that it is because it carries a +2 valance, and
forms an oxide with the formula, ZnO? -- many transition metals can also form
stable oxides as MO -- or if the answer is behavior, in what way(s)?
Thanks in advance for your answer.
Regards,
Paulette Carr
St. Louis, MO
Ababi on sat 29 mar 03
Aren't you dealing with too much theory?
I will explain you in a few sentences the different between to two new Cone six glazes
books:
Bailey tell you everything you wanted to know and try about ^6 ox glazing.
Ron and Hesslberth are telling you everything you want to know about ^6 ox glazes
that will be food safe and fit you claybody. Both books excellent all three writers are
among the most professional writers theoretically and practically.
In a way if you want to expand your understanding you must read Bailey book; He
writes to you about all the possibilities of ^6 glazes, while Ron and John tell you "only"
the "correct" way.
I make a lot of glazes many of them for decorative use. The limit table I chose to use,
in Matrix, was theirs. When a glaze I make fit their limits I am really satisfied.
Sometimes people deal too much ( So I feel) about acid and basic, some times I am
mixed up with the high knowledge. Is it a vital point why Michael Bailey prefer the zinc?
Did he read my letters to clayart?
Could it be a historic influence of the Bristol glazes?
The zinc is a problematic material. It is defiantly easier to use B2O3.
But who said life was easy?
Ababi, sometimes wishes he has been in MO too!
---------- Original Message ----------
>This is in the realm of I was wondering, and whom shall I ask??? ... I am
>just betting that someone on the list has the answer.
>Lately, I have been reading several books on ^6 glazes in an attempt to
>understand what oxides and their sourcing materials are used in mid-fire vs
>high-fire oxidation. Although I fire to ^9, I want to know what is
>happening, and why I would make the choice of one material over another.
>Bailey (who seems to prefer the use of ZnO to B2O3 for ^6 glazes) lists ZnO
>as one of the alkaline earths (p. 20, 21). Zn is not a member of the
>alkaline earth metals (Ca, Mg, Ba, Sr, and Ra), but is a non-transition metal
>element (full d electron shell) whose family consists of cadmium and mercury.
> Other than being mistaken, does anyone know why he would classify it as an
>alkaline earth? Do you think that it is because it carries a +2 valance, and
>forms an oxide with the formula, ZnO? -- many transition metals can also form
>stable oxides as MO -- or if the answer is behavior, in what way(s)?
>Thanks in advance for your answer.
>Regards,
>Paulette Carr
>St. Louis, MO
>______________________________________________________________________________
>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
Paulette Carr on sat 29 mar 03
You are right, Ababi, the glaze addict, it is (too) much theory, but I have
never been very happy just doing something without wondering what I was
doing, why, how to make it better, how to change it. It doesn't stop me from
working, but does keep me reading, thinking, interested and sometimes from
getting off on the wrong track.
You are also right that both books are excellent for ^6, and that Bailey's
book gives a broader range of possibilities, as does Currie's book, Stoneware
Glazes ... its the possibilities, and how to get there I think about, hence
the theoretical in the title. I just found a very detailed and excellent
explanation in Hamer and Hamer (now on my desk, instead on the bookshelf),
and am trying hard to understand the Potters Periodic Table vs the Chemists
periodic table. I often find that one person's explanation is more easily
understood by me than another. Thank you for sharing your approach. At some
point, the muddy waters will clear. Still, strictly speaking, Zn is not an
alkaline earth metal...
And now, to transmute all this ^6 information back to my firing range ...
keeps the synapses firing. I have vowed to read Hammer and Hamer from cover
to cover, at least once.
No, Ababi, I haven't found life easy, either, but interesting. Stay safe and
well, and if you come to Missouri, let me know.
Paulette Carr
Ababi on sun 30 mar 03
Hammer and Hammer is a great book but I would not read it all, I would read there
what I need - this is the kind of book dictionary - but you are you. I can tell that the
only thing amazed me in the Periodic Table was the fact that the ceramic materials
are neighbors.
My ceramic learning I belive is more like surfing, reading what I need and ignoring the
rest otherwise I would be lost, I would have a plenty of nothing!
Again if it does help you go ahead and I hope I did not heart your feelings!
Ababi
---------- Original Message ----------
>You are right, Ababi, the glaze addict, it is (too) much theory, but I have
>never been very happy just doing something without wondering what I was
>doing, why, how to make it better, how to change it. It doesn't stop me from
>working, but does keep me reading, thinking, interested and sometimes from
>getting off on the wrong track.
>You are also right that both books are excellent for ^6, and that Bailey's
>book gives a broader range of possibilities, as does Currie's book, Stoneware
>Glazes ... its the possibilities, and how to get there I think about, hence
>the theoretical in the title. I just found a very detailed and excellent
>explanation in Hamer and Hamer (now on my desk, instead on the bookshelf),
>and am trying hard to understand the Potters Periodic Table vs the Chemists
>periodic table. I often find that one person's explanation is more easily
>understood by me than another. Thank you for sharing your approach. At some
>point, the muddy waters will clear. Still, strictly speaking, Zn is not an
>alkaline earth metal...
>And now, to transmute all this ^6 information back to my firing range ...
>keeps the synapses firing. I have vowed to read Hammer and Hamer from cover
>to cover, at least once.
>No, Ababi, I haven't found life easy, either, but interesting. Stay safe and
>well, and if you come to Missouri, let me know.
>Paulette Carr
Ron Roy on mon 31 mar 03
Hi Paulette,
Perhaps it is thought of in the same way as the alkaline earth because it
is a mid range flux like them.
You are right - it is not - but it's main use at cone 6 is as a flux - when
KNaO and CaO are present - it's not much of a flux by itself.
Hamer has a lot of info on it but does not go into it's place in the
periodic table.
Perhaps others will be able to explain it's odd status.
RR
>Lately, I have been reading several books on ^6 glazes in an attempt to
>understand what oxides and their sourcing materials are used in mid-fire vs
>high-fire oxidation. Although I fire to ^9, I want to know what is
>happening, and why I would make the choice of one material over another.
>
>Bailey (who seems to prefer the use of ZnO to B2O3 for ^6 glazes) lists ZnO
>as one of the alkaline earths (p. 20, 21). Zn is not a member of the
>alkaline earth metals (Ca, Mg, Ba, Sr, and Ra), but is a non-transition metal
>element (full d electron shell) whose family consists of cadmium and mercury.
> Other than being mistaken, does anyone know why he would classify it as an
>alkaline earth? Do you think that it is because it carries a +2 valance, and
>forms an oxide with the formula, ZnO? -- many transition metals can also form
>stable oxides as MO -- or if the answer is behavior, in what way(s)?
>Paulette Carr
Ron Roy
RR#4
15084 Little Lake Road
Brighton, Ontario
Canada
K0K 1H0
Phone: 613-475-9544
Fax: 613-475-3513
| |
|
