Raw Materials Cont
BA560 - LITHIUM CARBONATE
Alkaline and insoluble, a powerful flux but with a lower rate
of expansion and contraction than either sodium or potassium. In replacing
either of these materials, it produces a more stable glaze without affecting
either the gloss or colour. Available in 250gms, 500gms, 1 kg, 5 kg and 25 kg
sizes.
BA590 - MAGNESIUM CARBONATE (HEAVY)
Available in either the light or heavy form, it is a flux in
high temperature glazes (up to 10%) used to produce a smooth "buttery"
surface. In excess a semi-matt surface may be produced and very large quantities
may cause pin holing and crawling. In low temperature glazes it reduces fluidity.
In conjunction with cobalt and manganese it produces interesting colour effects.
Available in 1 kg, 5 kg and 25 kg sizes.
BA600 - MAGNESIUM CARBONATE (LIGHT)
Available in 500gms, 1 kg, 5 kg and 25 kg sizes.
BA620 - MANGANESE DIOXIDE
A black fine powder which in conjunction with
cobalt and iron produces black. In lead and low alkaline glazes it gives a
dull brown while in high alkaline glazes along with tin, the colour is
purple. In magnesium and barium glazes, colours ranging from lilac to violet
develop. With small amounts of cobalt oxide, a deep violet can be obtained.
Other interesting colour effects are obtained with copper in crystalline glazes
(2-5%). Available in 1 kg, 5 kg and 25 kg sizes.
BA660 - MOLOCHITE (FINE 200 MESH)
An alumino silicate refractory aggregate. It is a non-plastic
form of kaolin which, due to its low shrinkage, reduces the tendency to crawl in
glazes with a high clay content. Added to a body it will assist, due to its slow
expansion, in the formation of a fine craquelle effect in pooling glaze or
frits. Available in 1 kg, 5 kg and 25 kg sizes.
BA670 - NEPHELINE SYENITE (270 MESH)
A feldspar having an unusually high proportion of sodium and
potassium in relation to silica. Its lower melting point makes it useful as a
body and glaze flux where a lower maturing temperature is required. Available in
1 kg, 5 kg and 25 kg sizes.
BA680 - NICKEL OXIDE
A grey-green or black material which produces a grey colour in lead
glazes and brown in glazes containing barium; in the presence of calcium the
colour is tan and in high magnesium glazes a bright green. With small quantities
of zinc, a steel blue develops while with larger quantities it is lavender blue,
in stoneware glazes under reduction. Nickel is most often used to modify other
colours (up to 5%). Available in 50gm, 250gms, 500gms, 1 kg, 5 kg and 25 kg
sizes.
BA710 - POTASSIUM CARBONATE (PEARL ASH)
BA730 -
PYROPHYLLITE
Used to develop special porcelain and refractory bodies. Available in 5 kg sizes.
BA740 - RUTILE SAND
Sometimes used as a speckle in bodies. Available in 5 kg sizes.
BA741 - RUTILE FLOUR
The mineral is obtained from beach sands and usually contains
about 95-97% titanium dioxide with impurities such as iron oxide, chromium oxide
and silica. In the high lead rutile glazes it usually constitutes about 10 -15%
of the glaze recipe. Copper glazes containing rutile may show interesting
mottled effects, whilst in high zinc glazes it develops an orange-tan colour. In
lead glazes rutile tends to matt the surface , even in small amounts, but in
leadless glazes much less so. In other respects apart from colour, rutile
behaves much the same as titanium dioxide. Available in 500gms, 1 kg, 5 kg and
25 kg sizes.
BA761 - SILICA 100 MESH
Used in glazes and bodies as the main source of silica. It is available in
various mesh sizes. Available in 1 kg, 5 kg and 25 kg sizes.
BA770 - SILICA 200 MESH
Available in 1 kg, 5 kg and 25 kg sizes.
BA780 - SILICA 350 MESH
Available in 1 kg, 5 kg and 25 kg sizes.
BA790 - SILICA SAND 30 MESH
Available in 1 kg, 5 kg and 25 kg sizes.
BA810 - DENSE SODA ASH
A source of sodium in glazes creating a brilliant colour
response similar to that of potassium. Due to its high solubility however, it is
more commonly used in the preparation of frits. It is also used as a glaze
constituent of Egyptian Paste. Sometimes used as a casting deflocculant.
Available in 1 kg, 5 kg and 25 kg sizes.
BA830 - SPODUMENE 325#
An active flux usually used in small amounts in glazes. It is
particularly useful where low expansion glazes are required. Available in 500
gm, 1 kg, 5 kg and 25 kg sizes.
BA840 - STRONTIUM CARBONATE
Glazes for low temperature vitreous bodies can be aided
through the use of strontia. Viscous zirconium containing glazes can be smoothed
out with the addition of strontia. The added fluidity with strontia when
replacing calcium and/or barium promotes interface reaction , improving glaze
fit, glaze hardness and scratch resistance.
BA850 -TALC
Used as a flux in bodies, particularly those fired at a low
temperature. A secondary flux in both high and low temperature glazes. In large
quantities it produces typical magnesium glaze effects i.e. opaque appearance
with a matt surface. It also produces interesting colour variations with cobalt
and manganese. Available in 5 kg and 25 kg sizes.
BA860 - TIN OXIDE
The most widely used and effective opacifying material, giving
results that are consistently even. Produces a "soft-blue-white" in
both low and high temperature glazes. 4-7% additions will produce semi-opaque
glazes and 8-10% will give full opacity. Available in 50gm, 250gm, 500gm, 1 kg
and 5 kg sizes.
BA870 - TITANIUM DIOXIDE
A glaze additive producing a creamy white colour with a
semi-matt surface. Slow cooling assists the crystallization which produces
opacity. It is widely used in crystalline glazes. Available in 500 gm,1 kg, 5 kg
and 25 kg sizes.
BA900 - WOLLASTONITE
A source of calcium in glazes, particularly the stoneware
type. Available in 1 kg, 5 kg and 25 kg sizes.
BA890 - WHITING
The main source of calcium in bodies and glazes and the most
commonly used flux in high temperature glazes. It also lends hardness and durability
but used in excess it produces a dull matt or rough surface (30-50%) especially
in low fired glazes. Under reducing conditions it assists in the development of
celadon colour. NO LONGER AVAILABLE - Use Calcite
BA920 - ZINC OXIDE
Useful as a flux in the middle to high temperature ranges; in
small amounts is very active, contributing to a smooth, even and trouble-free
glaze. However, glazes which rely mainly on zinc as a flux have a tendency to
crawl and may also be subject to pitting and pin holing. When used in large
quantities it produces opacity, mattness and dryness of texture (5-15%).
Contributes greatly to opacity when used in conjunction with zirconium (1-4%). A
material which can have a number of effects on the performance of a glaze. It is
the only source of zinc for glazes and in small quantities performs
as a flux, alleviates crazing problems and increases the firing range. In larger
quantities it can be used to supplement opacifiers such as tin. Above 10% it
develops a cool white, crystalline matt surface. It does not opacify those
glazes containing boron. Available in 500 gm,1 kg, 5 kg and 25 kg sizes.
BA940 - ZIRCON FLOUR 200 MESH
The 200 mesh grade of dry ground zircon is suitable for kiln
batt washes and matt, crystalline and abrasion resistant glazes. Available
in 500gm,1 kg and 5 kg sizes.
BA960 - ZIRCOSIL 5 MICRON OPACIFIER
A 6-9% addition of this product produces semi-opaque glazes. Available in 500gm,
1 kg, 5 kg and 25 kg sizes.
