Monthly Tech-Tip | No tracking! No ads! |
The shelf on the right has the traditional kaolin:silica kiln wash. Flaking constantly. Sticking to the feet of ware (plucking). A real aggravation. The one on the left is L4001, it is perfectly even. Yet thin. Much more refractory so it has not become brittle. Or cracked. And it paints on beautifully. The secret is four-fold? First: Zircopax (or Zircon) is among the most refractory materials used in ceramics. Second: We mixed it with calcined, rather than raw kaolin. That greatly reduces drying and firing shrinkage. Third: The zircon makes up 80% of the recipe, not 50%. Fourth: CMC gum (via Laguna gum solution) takes on the role of hardener. But it does much more: It also slows down the drying and gives the slurry the consistency of paint (for each application by brush or roller). Click the link below to get the recipe.
URLs |
https://insight-live.com/insight/share.php?z=K5hHzDs2Kr
Plainsman Super Kiln Wash recipe Instead of 50:50 kaolin:silica this recipe uses 80:20 Zircopax:Calcined kaolin. And adds CMC gum to slow down drying, make it brushable, harden it and reduce water requirements. |
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Glossary |
Kiln Wash
A high-melting powder applied to kiln shelves to prevent ware from sticking to the shelf during firing. It is also used as a parting agent for to keep elements of fired ware from sticking to each other. |
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