Sb2O3 (Antimony Oxide)
Data
| Dry M.O.R. (50% Silica) | 332C |
|---|
Notes
-Antimony oxide is used as an opacifier in low fire glazes and porcelain enamel (mainly leadless but it has been replaced to an extent by titania). Antimony is easily reducible; thus an oxidizing agent like potassium nitrate may be required to prevent it from going into solution and losing its opacifying power and affecting color.
-It is not useful in glazes over cone 1 due to volatilization.
-Antimony can be used as a yellow body stain in combination with rutile or titanium.
-Antimony will bleach the surface of low fire red-burning clay to a buff color to produce variegated coloration.
-The glass industry uses antimony as a decolorizing and fining agent to clarify glasses and as a stabilizing agent in the production of emerald green glass.
-Antimony has a low thermal expansion and reduces crazing.
Links
| Materials | Antimony Oxide |
|---|---|
| Materials | Frit |
| Temperatures | Antimony volatilizes (1100C+-) |
Mechanisms
| Glaze Color | It can give a yellowish color if the glaze contains lead, this is a result of the precipitation of yellow lead antimonate (known as Naples yellow). |
|---|---|
| Glaze Opacifier | Antimony works to a limited extent as an opacifier to cone 1. |
By Tony Hansen 
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