Articles

110 pages

• A ChatBot gives jaw-dropping glaze recipe advice - Jan 2025A ChatBot gives jaw-dropping glaze recipe advice - Jan 2025 Description I asked ChatGPT why some glazes employing Gillespie Borate as a substitute for Gerstley Borate often do not turn out with the same greenish crystalized surface. Its…
• A Low Cost Tester of Glaze Melt FluidityA Low Cost Tester of Glaze Melt Fluidity Description Use this novel device to compare the melt fluidity of glazes and materials. Simple physical observations of the results provide a better understanding of the fired properties of your…
• A One-speed Lab or Studio Slurry MixerA One-speed Lab or Studio Slurry Mixer Description A single-speed lab mixer can be made for much less money than buying a commercial unit. Using it you can slurry up a 100 lb batch of porcelain powder in minutes and it will be smooth as…
• A Textbook Cone 6 Matte Glaze With ProblemsA Textbook Cone 6 Matte Glaze With Problems Description Glazes must be completely melted to be functional, hard and strong. Many are not. This compares two glazes to make the difference clear. Article The picture below is a flow tester…
• Adjusting Glaze Expansion by Calculation to Solve ShiveringAdjusting Glaze Expansion by Calculation to Solve Shivering Description This page demonstrates how you might use INSIGHT software to do calculations that will help you increase the thermal expansion of a glaze while having minimal impact…
• Alberta Slip, 20 Years of Substitution for Albany SlipAlberta Slip, 20 Years of Substitution for Albany Slip Description Alberta Slip makes a great base for glazes because not only is it almost a complete glaze by itself but it has low thermal expansion, it works well with frits and slurry…
• An Overview of Ceramic StainsAn Overview of Ceramic Stains Description Understanding the advantages of disadvantages of stains vs. oxide colors is the key to choosing the best approach Article Stains are fired blends of metal and ceramic oxides that have been reground…
• Are You in Control of Your Production Process?Are You in Control of Your Production Process? Description Potters often run operations that are on the edge of control tolerating production and ware problems that industry would not. However ethics will sooner or later demand a better…
• Are Your Glazes Food Safe or are They Leachable?Are Your Glazes Food Safe or are They Leachable? Description Many potters do not think about leaching, but times are changing. What is the chemistry of stability? There are simple ways to check for leaching, and fix crazing. Article We…
• Attack on Glass: Corrosion Attack MechanismsAttack on Glass: Corrosion Attack Mechanisms Description Max Richens outlines the various mechanisms by which acids and bases can dissolve glass and glazes. He provides some information on stabilizing glazes against attack. Article The…
• Ball Milling Glazes, Bodies, EngobesBall Milling Glazes, Bodies, Engobes Description Industries ball mill their glazes, engobes and even bodies as standard practice. Yet few potters even have a ball mill or know what one is. Article A true ball mill is a porcelain jar partly…
• Binders for Ceramic BodiesBinders for Ceramic Bodies Description An overview of the major types of organic and inorganic binders used in various different ceramic industries. By Nilo Tozzi Article Binders are substances that improve the mechanical strength of green…
• Bringing Out the Big Guns in Craze Control: MgO (G1215U)Bringing Out the Big Guns in Craze Control: MgO (G1215U) Description MgO is the secret weapon of craze control. If your application can tolerate it you can create a cone 6 glaze of very low thermal expansion that is very resistant to…
• Can We Help You Fix a Specific Problem?Can We Help You Fix a Specific Problem? Description There are lots of resources here to help yourself, but if necessary I can help you individually. Article Digitalfire.com has enough resources, and an account at Insight-live .com has…
• Ceramic Glazes TodayCeramic Glazes Today Description Todd Barson of Ferro Corp. overviews the glaze formulations being using in various ceramics industry sectors. He discusses fast fire, glaze materials, development and trouble shooting. Article Presented at…
• Ceramic Material NomenclatureCeramic Material Nomenclature Description One can look at a ceramic material from a mineral, physical or chemical standpoint. Each viewpoint is appropriate depending on the context, understanding this is a key to exploiting materials…
• Ceramic Tile Clay Body FormulationCeramic Tile Clay Body Formulation Description An overview of the technical challenges a technician in the tile industry faces in making good tiles from the least expensive materials and process possible. Article The ceramic tile industry…
• Changing Our View of GlazesChanging Our View of Glazes Description A big secret to getting control of glazes is to begin looking at them as formulas of oxides rather than recipes of materials. Article The science of glaze formulation, adaptation and adjustment is…
• Chemistry vs. Matrix Blending to Create Glazes from Native MaterialsChemistry vs. Matrix Blending to Create Glazes from Native Materials Description Is it better to do trial and error line and matrix blending of materials to formulate glazes or is it better to use glaze chemistry right from the start?…
• Concentrate on One Good GlazeConcentrate on One Good Glaze Description It is better to understand and have control of one good base glaze than be at the mercy of dozens of imported recipes that do not work. There is a lot more to being a good glaze than fired…
• Copper Red GlazesCopper Red Glazes Description A study of the mechanism behind the color in color red glazes by Karl Platt. Article A report to the Clayart discussion group by Karl P. Platt [email protected] Red Copper (Cu) glazes are distinctive and have…
• Crazing and Bacteria: Is There a Hazard?Crazing and Bacteria: Is There a Hazard? Description A post to a discussion on the clayart group by Gavin Stairs regarding the food safety of crazed ware. Article This is a post to a discussion on Clayart May 1998 by Gavin Stairs…
• Crazing in Stoneware Glazes: Treating the Causes, Not the SymptomsCrazing in Stoneware Glazes: Treating the Causes, Not the Symptoms Description Band-aid solutions to crazing are often recommended by authors, but these do not get at the root cause of the problem, a thermal expansion mismatch between…
• Creating a Non-Glaze Ceramic Slip or EngobeCreating a Non-Glaze Ceramic Slip or Engobe Description It can be difficult to find an engobe that is drying and firing compatible with your body. It is better to understand, formulate and tune your own slip to your own body, glaze and…
• Creating Your Own Budget GlazeCreating Your Own Budget Glaze Description How to take a stockroom full of unused materials and turn them into a good glaze rather than try umpteen online recipes that require buying yet more materials you do not need and do not work.…
• Crystal Glazes: Understanding the Process and MaterialsCrystal Glazes: Understanding the Process and Materials Description Fara Shimbo's book on crystal glazes is the most understandable and practical we have seen. The book is full of color pictures and test tiles. Article Have you always…
• Deflocculants: A Detailed OverviewDeflocculants: A Detailed Overview Description A detailed look and what deflocculation is, what the most common types of deflocculants are (there are many) and how they compare in function By Nilo Tozzi Article Deflocculation and…
• Demonstrating Glaze Fit Issues to StudentsDemonstrating Glaze Fit Issues to Students Description Glaze and body can both be adjusted to solve crazing and shivering problems. This describes a simple project to create body glaze combinations guaranteed to craze and shiver to…
• Diagnosing a Casting Problem at a Sanitaryware PlantDiagnosing a Casting Problem at a Sanitaryware Plant Description A company using a rubbery casting slip and depending on outside technical support discovers how simple it is to fix a slip that is drastically wrong using simple testing.…
• Drying Ceramics Without CracksDrying Ceramics Without Cracks Description Anything ceramic ware can be dried if it is done slowly and evenly enough. To dry faster optimize the body recipe, ware cross section, drying process and develop a good test to rate drying…
• Duplicating Albany SlipDuplicating Albany Slip Description How Alberta Slip was created by analysing and duplicating the physical and chemical properties of Albany Slip Article Albany slip has long been a "standard" within the North American pottery community.…
• Duplicating AP Green FireclayDuplicating AP Green Fireclay Description Few people actually understood what AP Green fireclay really was (it is no longer available). By carefully ascertaining its physical properties we were able to formulate a substitute material mix.…
• Electric Hobby Kilns: What You Need to KnowElectric Hobby Kilns: What You Need to Know Description Electric hobby kilns are certainly not up to the quality and capability of small industrial electric kilns, being aware of the limitations and keeping them in good repair is very…
• Fighting the Glaze DragonFighting the Glaze Dragon Description At Digitalfire we promote the idea of understanding and formulating your own glazes so you have control rather than relying on suppliers or the trade in glaze recipes. Article With a S-W-O-R-D Software…
• Firing Clay Test BarsFiring Clay Test Bars Description Being able to make good consistent test bars and fire them in a consistent and proper way is a basic requirement of getting valid results for shrinkage and porosity measurement. Article Insight-live…
• Firing: What Happens to Ceramic Ware in a Firing KilnFiring: What Happens to Ceramic Ware in a Firing Kiln Description Understanding more about changes taking place in the ware at each stage of a firing helps tune the curve and atmosphere to produce better ware Article Firing ware in an…
• First You See It Then You Don't: Raku Glaze StabilityFirst You See It Then You Don't: Raku Glaze Stability Description Tom Buck discusses the change in color over time that can happen with some raku glazes Article Ceramic Review Issue #159, May/June 1996 Susan Bennett's letter in CR 149…
• Fixing a glaze that does not stay in suspensionFixing a glaze that does not stay in suspension Description Fixing a glaze that does not suspend Article This was simple in INSIGHT. First, it has no clay, there is no way it is going to stay in suspension . EPK is a great clay for glazes,…
• Formulating a body using clays native to your areaFormulating a body using clays native to your area Description Being able to mix your own clay body and glaze from native materials might seem ridiculous, yet Covid-19 taught us about the need for independence. Article Would you like to be…
• Formulating a Clear Glaze Compatible with Chrome-Tin StainsFormulating a Clear Glaze Compatible with Chrome-Tin Stains Description In ceramics color is often a matter of chemistry, that is, the host glaze must be compatible and have a sympathetic chemistry for the stain being added. Chrome-tin…
• Formulating a PorcelainFormulating a Porcelain Description The principles behind formulating a porcelain are quite simple. You just need to know the purpose of each material, a starting recipe and a testing regimen. Article A translucent Polar Ice porcelain mug…
• Formulating Ash and Native-Material GlazesFormulating Ash and Native-Material Glazes Description How to have a volcanic ash analysed and them use ceramic chemistry to create a glaze that contains the maximum possible amount of the ash for the desired effect Article To most new…
• G1214M Cone 5-7 20x5 glossy transparent glazeG1214M Cone 5-7 20x5 glossy transparent glaze Description This is a base transparent glaze recipe developed for cone 6. It is known as the 20x5 or 20 by 5 recipe. It is a simple 5 material at 20% each mix and it makes a good home base from…
• G1214W Cone 6 transparent glazeG1214W Cone 6 transparent glaze Description The process we used to improve the 20x5 base cone 6 glaze recipe to produce G1214W. Article A Cone 6 Glossy Base Glaze is Born The Glaze Dragon It can feel like you are fighting a dragon when it…
• G1214Z Cone 6 matte glazeG1214Z Cone 6 matte glaze Description This glaze was developed using the 1214W glossy as a starting point. This article overviews the types of matte glazes and rationalizes the method used to make this one. Article This page is a companion…
• G1916M Cone 06-04 transparent glazeG1916M Cone 06-04 transparent glaze Description This is a frit based boron glaze that is easily adjustable in thermal expansion, a good base for color and a starting point to go on to more specialized glazes. Article Jan 2017: We recommend…
• Getting the Glaze Color You Want: Working With StainsGetting the Glaze Color You Want: Working With Stains Description There are many things to know about to make the best use of stains, but one often ignored aspect is the relationship between glaze color and chemistry. If you want to…
• Glaze and Body Pigments and Stains in the Ceramic Tile IndustryGlaze and Body Pigments and Stains in the Ceramic Tile Industry Description A complete discussion of how ceramic pigments and stains are manufactured and used in the tile industry. It includes theory, types, colors, opacification,…
• Glaze Chemistry Basics - Formula, Analysis, Mole%, UnityGlaze Chemistry Basics - Formula, Analysis, Mole%, Unity Description Part of changing your viewpoint of glazes, from a collection of materials to a collection of oxides, is learning what a formula and analysis are, how conversion between…
• Glaze chemistry using a frit of approximate analysisGlaze chemistry using a frit of approximate analysis Description Many of the best frits do have a published chemistry, or the chemistry is approximate. Can we still use them in glaze chemistry? Yes. Article Is this possible? Yes. How?…
• Glaze Recipes: Formulate and Make Your Own InsteadGlaze Recipes: Formulate and Make Your Own Instead Description The only way you will ever get the glaze you really need is to formulate your own. The longer you stay on the glaze recipe treadmill the more time you waste. Article The…
• Glaze Types, Formulation and Application in the Tile IndustryGlaze Types, Formulation and Application in the Tile Industry Description An technical overview of various glaze type used in the tile industry along with consideration of the materials, processes and firing. By Nilo Tozzi Article We can…
• Having Your Glaze Tested for Toxic Metal ReleaseHaving Your Glaze Tested for Toxic Metal Release Description Having Your Glaze Tested for Metal Release Article Labs do not test ceramic glazes for "food safeness"; they only determine how much of a given metal leaches out into water under…
• High Gloss GlazesHigh Gloss Glazes Description A transcript of a presentation at the 3rd Whitewares conference at Alfred University in the spring of 2000 by Richard Eppler. Article Formulating a glaze for high gloss is a challenging assignment,…
• Hire Us for a 3D Printing ProjectHire Us for a 3D Printing Project Description There are lots of resources here to help yourself, but if necessary we can help you individually. Article We are constantly working on making the resources here better and better to enable you…
• How a Material Chemical Analysis is DoneHow a Material Chemical Analysis is Done Description Michael Banks and Stuart Altmann talk about chemical analyses methods and their advantages and disadvantages. Also information on testing labs you can use. Article Conveniences today…
• How to Find and Test Your Own Native ClaysHow to Find and Test Your Own Native Clays Description Some of the key tests needed to really understand what a clay is and what it can be used for can be done with inexpensive equipment and simple procedures. These practical tests can…
• I have always done it this way!I have always done it this way! Description If you are a potter and have gotten away with pushing the limits in your process for many years there will eventually be a day of reconing. That day could even be retroactive! Article For every…
• Inkjet Decoration of Ceramic TilesInkjet Decoration of Ceramic Tiles Description Theory and description of various ceramic ink and inkjet printing technologies for ceramic tile, the issues technicians and factories face, inket printer product overview. By Nilo Tozzi…
• Is Your Fired Ware Safe?Is Your Fired Ware Safe? Description Glazed ware can be a safety hazard to end users because it may leach metals into food and drink, it could harbor bacteria and it could flake of in knife-edged pieces. Article In the 1950's, chemical…
• Leaching Cone 6 Glaze Case StudyLeaching Cone 6 Glaze Case Study Description An example of how we can use INSIGHT software to determine of a glaze is likely to leach Article Following is an example of how we might look at a glaze and determine if it is food safe . Here…
• Limit Formulas and Target FormulasLimit Formulas and Target Formulas Description Glaze chemistries for each type of glaze have a typical look to them that enables us to spot ones that are non-typical. Limit and target formulas are useful to us if we keep in perspective…
• Low Budget Testing of Ceramic GlazesLow Budget Testing of Ceramic Glazes Description There is more to glazes than their visual character, they have other physical properties like hardness, thermal expansion, leachability, chemistry and they exhibit many defects. Here are…
• Make Your Own Ball Mill StandMake Your Own Ball Mill Stand Description Pictures of a ball mill rack that you can make yourself Article No industrial plant that mixes its own raw glazes would be without a ball mill . Yet potters lack them for a couple of reasons:…
• Making Glaze Testing ConesMaking Glaze Testing Cones Description A standard shape and size of glaze test is important to be able to compare one test with another, especially over time (so that old tests look the same as new ones) Article Joe Schmidt, lab technician…
• Monoporosa or Single Fired Wall TilesMonoporosa or Single Fired Wall Tiles Description A history, technical description of the process and body and glaze materials overview of the monoporosa single fire glazed wall tile process from the man who invented it. By Nilo Tozzi…
• Organic Matter in Clays: Detailed OverviewOrganic Matter in Clays: Detailed Overview Description A detailed look at what materials contain organics, what its effects are in firing (e.g. black core), what to do to deal with the problem and how to measure the amount of organics in a…
• Outdoor Weather Resistant CeramicsOutdoor Weather Resistant Ceramics Description How can you be sure that the porosity of your fired ceramic ware is low enough to prevent freeze-thaw breakdown in the winter? Article Almost all fired stoneware and sculptural ceramic has…
• Painting Glazes Rather Than Dipping or SprayingPainting Glazes Rather Than Dipping or Spraying Description Potters who are used to dipping and spraying glazes might be surprised to learn how well glazes can paint on if they have enough gum in the recipe. Article Likely you have had…
• Particle Size Distribution of Ceramic PowdersParticle Size Distribution of Ceramic Powders Description Understanding the theory behind sieve selection, how to properly sample a powder and how to carry out a particle size distribution test can give you valuable information about a…
• Porcelain Tile, Vitrified TilePorcelain Tile, Vitrified Tile Description A technical overview of the bodies, firing, processes and types of porcelain tiles against the backdrop of the historical development of the process since the 1970s. By Nilo Tozzi Article By the…
• Rationalizing Conflicting Opinions About PlasticityRationalizing Conflicting Opinions About Plasticity Description How can two potters have completely different opinions about the plasticity and workability characteristics of the same clay body Article Those of us that have done pottery…
• Ravenscrag Slip is BornRavenscrag Slip is Born Description The story of how Ravenscrag Slip was discovered and developed might help you to recognize the potential in clays that you have access to. Article Luke Lindoe, founder of Plainsman Clays - 1971 The…
• Recylcing Scrap ClayRecylcing Scrap Clay Description Guidelines for collecting, reprocessing, testing and adjusting scrap recycle clay in a pottery or ceramics studio or production facility. Article In a production situation, procedures and equipment are…
• Reducing the Firing Temperature of a Glaze From Cone 10 to 6Reducing the Firing Temperature of a Glaze From Cone 10 to 6 Description Moving a cone 10 high temperature glaze down to cone 5-6 can require major surgery on the recipe or the transplantation of the color and surface mechanisms into a…
• Setting up a Clay Testing Program in Your Company or StudioSetting up a Clay Testing Program in Your Company or Studio Description Set up a routine testing pipeline and start generating historical data that will enable your staff to understand your source materials and maintain, adjust and…
• Simple Physical Testing of ClaysSimple Physical Testing of Clays Description Learn to test your clay bodies and clay materials and record the results in an organized way, understanding the purpose of each test and how to relate its results to changes that need to be made…
• Single Fire GlazingSingle Fire Glazing Related Information Alberta Slip crawling because it shrinks too much on drying This picture has its own page with more detail, click here to see it. Example of Alberta Slip which has been sprayed on dry ware and single…
• Soluble Salts in Minerals: Detailed OverviewSoluble Salts in Minerals: Detailed Overview Description There are a wide range of soluble materials that can be in clay, this article enumerates them, provides procedures on identifying and measuring them and outlines what to do about the…
• Some Keys to Dealing With Firing CracksSome Keys to Dealing With Firing Cracks Description Ceramic industry can fire much faster and deal with much heavier objects than potters can, how do they do it. The answer is they pay more attention to the basics, it is all common sense…
• Stoneware Casting Body RecipesStoneware Casting Body Recipes Description Some starting recipes for stoneware and porcelain with information on how to adjust and adapt them Article Here are a couple of starting recipes for casting stoneware bodies. It is assumed, of…
• Substituting Cornwall StoneSubstituting Cornwall Stone Description Calculating a recipe of materials having the same oxide chemistry as Cornwall Stone Article Cornwall Stone is quite different from feldspars . Consider Custer Feldspar and Nepheline Syenite . CaO MgO…
• Super-Refined Terra SigillataSuper-Refined Terra Sigillata Description Vince Pitelka describes his method of preparing a Terra Sigillata slip. Article Traditionally, the primary objective of terra sigillata coatings is to get a high satin gloss without a glaze, using…
• The Chemistry, Physics and Manufacturing of Glaze FritsThe Chemistry, Physics and Manufacturing of Glaze Frits Description A detailed discussion of the oxides and their purposes, crystallization, phase separation, thermal expansion, solubility, opacity, matteness, batching, melting. By Nilo…
• The Effect of Glaze Fit on Fired Ware StrengthThe Effect of Glaze Fit on Fired Ware Strength Description The fit between body and glaze is like a marriage, if is is strong the marriage can survive problems. Likewise ceramic ware with well fitting glaze is much stronger than you think…
• The Four Levels on Which to View Ceramic GlazesThe Four Levels on Which to View Ceramic Glazes Description By knowing which level to view a glaze from you are much better equipped to understand and control it. The levels are process, recipe, material, oxide. Article Glazing is perhaps…
• The Majolica Earthenware ProcessThe Majolica Earthenware Process Description How to make strong, durable functional ware from red terra cotta odies based on the traditional of majolica. Article Traditionally, “Majolica” is white-glazed red earthenware clay decorated with…
• The Potter's PrayerThe Potter's Prayer Description A prayer for potters who wish to continue down the road of text book glaze recipes, never really getting what they want, never getting control. Article If you are determined to take the traditional route of…
• The Right Chemistry for a Cone 6 Magnesia MatteThe Right Chemistry for a Cone 6 Magnesia Matte The image (link below) compares the chemistry and recipes of four high-MgO matte glazes. The glaze on the far right is the initiator, the one against which the others are being compared. It…
• The Trials of Being the Only Technical Person in the ClubThe Trials of Being the Only Technical Person in the Club Description If you are the only technically oriented person in your company, school or pottery club you will get a charge out of this report from a right-brained potter always…
• The Whining Stops Here: A Realistic Look at Clay BodiesThe Whining Stops Here: A Realistic Look at Clay Bodies Description Jonathan Kaplan overviews clay bodies, body materials and body types, how they are formulated and tested, how to protect yourself when buying prepared bodies, how to take…
• Those Unlabelled Bags and BucketsThose Unlabelled Bags and Buckets Description Mike Bailey and David Hewitt provide detailed information on how to identify materials from the properties of their powders Article By Mike Bailey and David Hewitt. There can't be many…
• Tiles and Mosaics for PottersTiles and Mosaics for Potters Description If you are a potter you already know much of what is needed to manufacture tile. However there are some things you need to unlearn to make tile well. Article Ceramic supply companies are often…
• Toxicity of Firebricks Used in OvensToxicity of Firebricks Used in Ovens Description Toxicity concerns about the use of firebrick or alumina brick to make ovens used for baking bread Article Many people have expressed concern about the toxicity of bricks that come into…
• Trafficking in Glaze RecipesTrafficking in Glaze Recipes Description The trade is glaze recipes has spawned generations of potters going up blind alleys trying recipes that don't work and living with ones that are much more trouble than they are worth. It is time to…
• Understanding Ceramic MaterialsUnderstanding Ceramic Materials Description Ceramic materials are not just powders, they have a physical presence that make each unique and amazing. We cannot adequately describe the properties using just numbers, thinking in terms of…
• Understanding Ceramic OxidesUnderstanding Ceramic Oxides Description Fired glazes are composed of oxide building blocks. Each of the oxides contributes different properties to the fired glaze and interacts with others in different ways. Understanding these gives you…
• Understanding Glaze Slurry PropertiesUnderstanding Glaze Slurry Properties Description It is possible to have a glaze slurry that is a joy to use, but only if you understand the physics of the materials in the glaze recipe. Article This article has been moved to the…
• Understanding the Deflocculation Process in Slip CastingUnderstanding the Deflocculation Process in Slip Casting Description Understanding the magic of deflocculation and how to measure specific gravity and viscosity, and how to interpret the results of these tests to adjust the slip, these are…
• Understanding the Terra Cotta Slip Casting Recipes In North AmericaUnderstanding the Terra Cotta Slip Casting Recipes In North America Description This article helps you understand a good recipe for a red casting body so that you will have control and adjustability. Article In North America there is a raw…
• Understanding Thermal Expansion in Ceramic GlazesUnderstanding Thermal Expansion in Ceramic Glazes Description Understanding thermal expansion is the key to dealing with crazing or shivering. There is a rich mans and poor mans way to fit glazes, the latter might be better. Article Almost…
• Unwanted Crystallization in a Cone 6 GlazeUnwanted Crystallization in a Cone 6 Glaze Description Someone is having a problem with a cone 6 glaze going glossy and crystallizing, this article rationalizes the problem in terms of chemistry Article Following is a letter we got from…
• Using Dextrin, Glycerine and CMC Gum togetherUsing Dextrin, Glycerine and CMC Gum together This interesting answer was generated by ChatGPT in 2025 (not thoroughly tested). Dextrin, CMC gum , and glycerine can be used together in ceramic slurries, glazes, or underglazes , with each…
• Volcanic AshVolcanic Ash Description Joseph Herbert overviews the technical and practical aspects of this interesting group of materials Article Joseph Herbert Email: [email protected] This is material I posted in 1996 in reference to a thread…
• What Determines a Glaze's Firing Temperature?What Determines a Glaze's Firing Temperature? Description The oxides contributed by glaze materials determine its chemistry. The chemistry is the main factor determining melting behaviour. But the particle sizes, shapes and mineralogies…
• What is a Mole, Checking Out the MoleWhat is a Mole, Checking Out the Mole Description An overview of the meaning of this unit for measuring quantities of molecules by Joseph Herbert and Tom Buck. Article What is a Mole? by Joseph Herbert When the world was younger and…
• What is the Glaze Dragon?What is the Glaze Dragon? Description At Digitalfire we use a Dragon to personify the kinds of thinking that prevent potters, educators and technicians from understanding and therefore controlling their ceramic glazes. Article I fight the…
• Where do I start in understanding glazes?Where do I start in understanding glazes? Description Break your addiction to online recipes that don't work or bottled expensive glazes that you could DIY. Learn why glazes fire as they do. Why each material is used. How to create perfect…
• Why Textbook Glazes Are So DifficultWhy Textbook Glazes Are So Difficult Description The trade is glaze recipes has spawned generations of potters going up blind alleys trying recipes that don't work and living with ones that are much more trouble than they are worth. It is…
• Working with childrenWorking with children Description Go in with both eyes open if you are planning to work with clay with a group of children! A lot can go wrong but it can be unforgettable for them when it goes right. Article Clay is Dirt! It dries, it does…