GSPT - Frit Softening Point Test

This almost always refers to frits which soften and melt over a fairly wide temperature range (most raw materials melt over a much narrower range). The softening point is the temperature at which the material begins to move, no longer exhibiting the properties of a solid. This property is normally quoted on frit data sheets (see ASTM C-24). Theoretically feldspars, for example, melt in a similar fashion, but manufacturers would never normally quote this property.

The softening point of a glass can be determined by examining the curve produced by a dilatometer. The line (representing increasing thermal expansion) climbs as temperature increases, going through the transition point (and accompanying steepening of the curve) to the softening point. This point is the peak of the curve, after that the line drops off vertically and melting proceeds.

Simple dilatometric curve produced by a dilatometer

This picture has its own page with more detail, click here to see it.

Dialometric chart produced by a dilatometer. The curve represents the increase in thermal expansion that occurs as a glass is heated. Changes in the direction of the curve are interpreted as the transformation (or transition) temperature, set point and softening point (often quoted on frit data sheets). When the thermal expansion of a material is quoted as one number (on a data sheet), it is derived from this chart. Since the chart is almost never a straight line one can appreciate that the number is only an approximation of the thermal expansion profile of the material.

Variables

VAL - Value (V)

Temperature (specify C or F)

Related Information

Videos

Links

Tests	Pyrometric Cone Equivalent Make a pyrometric cone out of a clay or material to see what temperature it bends at
Tests	Frit Melting Range (C)
Tests	Glaze Melt Flow - Runway Test A method of comparing the melt fluidity of two ceramic materials or glazes by racing them down an inclined runway.
Tests	I.F.P. (celsius)
Tests	Heating Microscope Analysis for Frits
Tests	Glass Transition Temperature In ceramic glasses (usually frits) the temperature at which the hard brittle state of the glass changes to the rubber-like state that precedes softening and melting
Tests	Co-efficient of Linear Expansion In ceramics, glazes expand with increasing temperature. Being brittle materials, they must be expansion-compatible with the body they are on.
Glossary	Melt Fluidity Ceramic glazes melt and flow according to their chemistry, particle size and mineralogy. Observing and measuring the nature and amount of flow is important in understanding them.
Glossary	Frit Frits are used in ceramic glazes for a wide range of reasons. They are man-made glass powders of controlled chemistry with many advantages over raw materials.
Typecodes	Material Tests Test conducted primarily on materials use to make bodies or glazes.

By Tony Hansen
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