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Nepheline Syenite is similar to a feldspar. I have them open side-by-side here in my Insight-live.com account (the blue panels). In the "Analysis" column notice that Minspar has 9% more SiO2 and 5% less Al2O3. Minspar has 12% fluxes and Nepheline has more than 15%. If a recipe does not contain a significant percentage of Nepheline these differences might be tolerated but what if there is 30% or more? There is no combination of materials that has the chemistry of Nepheline (there is no way to take 10% of the SiO2 out of this feldspar, for example). But it is possible to take SiO2 out of a glaze containing Nepheline Syenite. Notice the two green recipe panels below: The changes made to the one on the right harmonize the oxide chemistry with the original on the left. Those changes were significant: 15% more feldspar, 12% less silica and 2% less kaolin. Notice how easy this was using a little chemistry!
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You will see examples of replacing unavailable materials (especially frits), fixing various issues (e.g. running, crazing, settling), making them melt more, adjusting matteness, etc. Insight-Live has an extensive help system (the round blue icon on the left) that also deals with fixing real-world problems and understanding glazes and clay bodies.
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Nepheline Syenite
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