Introduction to Enamels: A glossary of terms plus safety basics
By Jill L. Erickson
What is enameling?
Powdered enamels
You can use enamels to add color to metal jewelry.
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Mini glossary Counter enamel Enamel fused to the back of a piece to balance the stress created by enamel fired on the front of the piece; prevents cracking Fines Porcelain dust residue; it's important to wash the fines out of transparent enamels, or the fired colors will be cloudy Flux A colorless, clear enamel often used as a base layer for subsequent layers of transparent enamels; enamel flux is unrelated to the flux used in soldering Fully fused A fired enamel surface that is even and glossy Fusing formula Enamels are manufactured in soft-, medium-, and hard-fusing formulas that correspond to the COEs of various metals; for example, medium temperature/medium expansion enamels are formulated for fine silver, gold, and copper Holding agent An organic binder that helps adhere enamel powder to metal; Klyr-Fire is a common holding agent that is water soluble and is typically applied with a brush or diluted with distilled water and applied as a spray Mesh A number indicating the coarseness of the particles in powdered enamels; low mesh numbers are coarser than high mesh numbers Opaque Colors that are not transparent; it is not necessary to wash opaque enamels before using them Orange peel A surface finish that occurs as enamel softens during firing and begins to fuse, creating a texture that resembles the skin of an orange Sugar coat The texture of the enamel within the first minute of firing before the glass softens Transparent Enamel colors that are clear; transparent enamels must be washed before you use them to remove by-products that make the fired colors cloudy; courses of transparent firings can add visual depth to a piece |
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Enamel Safety Basics • Wear a dust mask. • Do not touch your eyes, nose, mouth, or other sensitive areas. • Wear fire-retardant gloves or mitts when loading and unloading the kiln. • Follow the manufacturer's instructions for operating your kiln. • When using a fiberglass brush, brush enameled surfaces underwater and avoid skin contact. • Use an alundum stone underwater. • Consult your local hazardous waste center for proper glass-disposal methods. |
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