piedpotterhamelin@COMCAST.NET on fri 16 jan 04
"Some Red Iron Oxide on the
> market is as low as 50% Fe2O3. :-( You need to know that, and also what
> the other 50% is!All are made primarily as pigments, for paint or ink"
I remember a few years ago buying a bag of yellow iron oxide from one of my local suppliers.
I thought it was curious to read on the bag the phrase "synthetic yellow iron oxide". So I called the manufacturer to define the meaning of this.
I got talking with some "younger guy" who asked if the material was involved with food. I said yes, I make functional glazed pottery. He countered that the material contained arsenic and several other metals and should not be used.
I got off the phone and called up my supplier. I asked him if he realized the arsenic exposure and the risk the me and my customers. He only apologized.
About a week later, I again called the manufacturer to ask a couple more questions and got this proper and poised young lady. I liked the way she talked. She was interested in my questions and asked me some questions.
She informed me that the young guy that I talked to was not complete in his understanding of my use and not clear in explaining the iron to me.
Synthetic iron is made by acid fuming old steel parts, like your old Dodge Dart to obtain the iron. This iron has different grades, some for ceramics and paint. And some for food, such as dog food, maybe other foods. The iron that I purchased was not safe for use in Dog Food. Could be safe for use in glaze, but I must beware of skin absorption. Hence, not all iron is manufactured the same and other trace metals can be found. She also suggested another iron for me to purchase.
Another point, black iron can act like a flux in your glaze. Also, the degree of particle size can affect color.
Having a cold day in the northeast USA
Rick
--
"Many a wiser men than I hath
gone to pot." 1649
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