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Metallic Glazes

Non-functional ceramic glazes having very high percentages of metallic oxides/carbonates (manganese, copper, cobalt, chrome).

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Details

Metallic glazes can most easily be produced in oxidation by mixing a very high percentage of manganese dioxide with a low melting frit. The metallic visual effect is modified by the degree of melting of the glaze, the saturation of metallic oxides in the recipe and the amount of crystallization that occurs during cooling in the kiln. Manganese is an active melter, so 50% of it and a borax frit will produce a very fluid glaze (glassy, iridescent) at cone 6. Other metal oxides like copper and cobalt are also active fluxes and melt even better than manganese, but they are prone to forming crystals during cooling (the micro-crystals of copper completely matte the surface). It can thus be beneficial to incorporate some copper or cobalt with the manganese in the recipe to promote the desired amount of crystallization. The proportion of frit to color can be varied to produce a wide range of metallic surfaces. The amount of crystallization that occurs can also be controlled by choosing frits with varying levels of Al₂O₃ (higher levels will impede crystal growth). Their development can also be encouraged by adding a catalyst (e.g. barium carbonate)

Some recipes employ up to 90% metallic oxides/carbonates and 10% frit, these of course do not melt nearly as much (producing a more bronze-like effect).

In reduction firing it is easier to produce metallic surfaces, thus much lower amounts are needed. A key reason for this is that iron, while refractory in oxidation, is an active flux in reduction. In addition, iron oxide is inexpensive whereas the other metal oxides useful for this purpose are very, very expensive. Bronze-like surfaces can also be made by the addition of rutile (it contains high concentrations of metals and crystallizes to produce metallic appearances).

There is very important caution regarding the use of these recipes: Manganese fumes (produced during firing) are toxic, you must have a kiln venting system that works properly. They are completely unsuitable for use on functional surfaces as they are highly likely to leach heavy metals.

Related Information

How do metal oxides compare in their degrees of melting?

These metal oxides have been mixed with 50% Ferro frit 3134 and fired to cone 6 oxidation. Chrome and rutile have not melted, copper and cobalt are extremely active melters, frothing and boiling. Cobalt and copper have crystallized during cooling. Manganese has formed an iridescent glass.

A metallic, silky crystal black glaze based on Alberta Slip

This is a 50:50 mix of calcine and raw Alberta Slip plus 5 parts Mason 6600 black stain, 5 Mason 6666 black and 7 iron.

Metallic deep purple: Pure Alberta Slip at cone 10R, then refired at cone 6 oxidation

A nice thing about this is that the percentage of metallic oxide is comparatively low compared to other metallic glazes. And, it is iron oxide, which is not toxic at all.

Additions of iron oxide are coloring, fluxing and crystallizing this base transparent

Iron oxide is an amazing glaze addition in reduction. Here, I have added it to the G1947U transparent base. It produces green celadons at low percentages. Still transparent where thin, 5% produces an amber glass (and the iron reveals its fluxing power). 7% brings opacity and tiny crystals are developing. By 9% color is black where thick, at 11% where thin or thick - this is “tenmoku territory”. 13% has moved it to an iron crystal (what some would call Tenmoku Gold or Teadust), 17% is almost metallic. Past that, iron crystals are growing atop others. These samples were cooled naturally in a large reduction kiln using the C10RPL firing schedule, the crystallization mechanism would be much heavier if it were cooled more slowly. The 7% one in this lineup is quite interesting, a minimal percentage of cobalt-free black stain could be added to create an inexpensive and potentially non-leaching jet-black glossy.

Metal saturated glaze after lemon test

The manufacturer warns that these cone 6 metallic glazes are not food-safe. That being said, many potters use them on food surfaces anyway. This can be deliberate or just because the warning label gets ignored, the product has no webpage or the QRCode on the bottle is not clear enough to scan. To demonstrate I did an overnight lemon juice immersion on the bottom end of this tile. Then I washed and thoroughly dried it. The amount of dissolution is amazing! Metallics are made using manganese, nickel, cobalt, chrome and iron - which of these would you like in your diet? To get a good effect 20-40% metal oxide is required.

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