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These sixteen GBMF test balls have melted down onto a slab of grogged clay. Kiln fired at 108F/hr for the last 100 degrees F and held for 15 minutes. This demonstrates the comparison value of this test and how various frits compare in their melting character.
Here is how to prepare a melt-flow ball for the GBMF test or the GLFL test: Weigh 11g of the frit and 0.33 of Veegum (the latter plasticizes the frit and imparts dry hardness). Put them in a small ziplock bag. Zip it to entrap air, roll the zipper down to inflate it and shake well to mix the Veegum and frit. Stir the powder into plenty of water in a small bowl. A brush works best for quick delumping and cleaning out the bowl when pouring onto a plaster slab. It dewaters very quickly, after about 10 seconds, just as the water sheen is gone, peel it up with a rubber rib. Smear it back down and peel it up every few seconds until it is plastic and formable (not sticky). Roll it into a ball, label it and dry it under a heat lamp (could take an hour, the Veegum really holds on to the water). When dry use a sharp knife to cut off enough to bring it down to 10 grams. One caveat: The Veegum is a melting catalyst, when comparing melts both sample should contain the same percentage.
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Fusion Frit F-69
A magnesia borosilicate frit having very low thermal expansion and melting point. Commonly used as a substitute for Ferro frit 3249. |
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Fusion Frit F-524
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Frit LA-300
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Frit B325
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Ferro Frit 3124
A commonly available borosilicate frit is high in calcium. |
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Ferro Frit 3249
A magnesia borosilicate frit having very low thermal expansion and melting point. Invaluable in pottery as to increase the MgO in glazes to prevent crazing. |
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Chrysanthos Frit FR002N
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Chrysanthos Frit FR006
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Ferro Frit 3565
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Fusion Frit F-49
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Fusion Frit FZ-557
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Fusion Frit FZ-556
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Ferro Frit CC-257
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Ferro Frit CC-257-2
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Fusion Frit F-15
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Fusion Frit F-38
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Chrysanthos Frit FR001
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Tests |
Glaze Melt Fluidity - Ball Test
A test where a 10-gram ball of dried glaze is fired on a porcelain tile to study its melt flow, surface character, bubble retention and surface tension. |
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