Lead has been used in ceramics for thousands of years because it works so well, that is, leaded glazes melt at low temperatures, have low thermal expansion, dazzling colors and tolerance to variable firing. Frits are a modern development that have dramatically improved the safety with which the material can be handled. Notwithstanding this, leaded frits are difficult to obtain in recent years.
Generally most leaded frits were thought be fairly insoluble and safe to use as raw powdered materials, however recent findings about the disproportionately large effects of low lead levels call this into question. In addition, the glazes they produce will be as leachable for a given lead percentage as if the lead came from raw lead carbonate or lead oxide. There is a huge range of lead content in frits, some may have 1%, others 80%. To create a safe leaded glaze you need equipment to measure leaching of lead and expertise in ceramic chemistry to find the oxide profiles that release the least amount of lead.
Therefore we are no describing any safer ways to use lead here. Please check the reference links on this page.
Materials | Lead Carbonate |
---|---|
Materials | Ferro Frit 3300 |
Materials | Ferro Frit 3481 |
Materials | Ferro Frit 3493 |
Materials | Ferro Frit 3497 |
Materials | Ferro Frit 3386 |
Materials | Ferro Frit 3482 |
Materials | Ferro Frit 3496 |
Materials | Pemco Frit P-83 |
Materials | Lead Monosilicate Frit |
Materials | Pemco Frit Pb-83 |
Materials | General Frit GF-42 |
Materials | Ferro Frit 3548 |
Materials | Antimonate Of Lead |
Materials | Lead Bisilicate Frit |
Materials | Pemco Frit Pb-316 |
Materials | Ferro Frit 3327 |
Materials | Ferro Frit 3470 |
Materials | Ferro Frit 3490 |
Materials | Ferro Frit 3600 |
Materials | General Frit GF-9 |
Materials | Hommel Frit 240 |
Materials | Ferro Frit 3304 |
Materials | Ferro Frit 3403 |
Materials | Ferro Frit 3489 |
Hazards | Lead Toxicology |
Hazards | Lead in Ceramic Glazes: What Did We Learn? |
Projects |
Frits
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Glossary |
Lead in Ceramic Glazes
Lead is a melter in ceramic glazes and performs exceptionally well. However recent findings show it to be even more environmentally pervasive and toxic at low levels than originally thought |