Lowering the Thermal Expansion of G2926B

Cone 6 Clear Glossy Base

Total:506,500.00 (R)

Notes

The base recipe used by production at Plainsman Clays. A great general purpose base that melts well yet has high SiO2 and Al2O3 (for durability).

There are lots of pages and pictures online about this recipe and stain-added versions (e.g. at digitalfire.com and plainsmanclays.com). The page at Plainsman Clays has mixing and usage information.

This fits most Plainsman Clays bodies (and those of other manufacturers). But it does not fit Plainsman P300, a cone 6 whiteware.

URLs

Technical informat..at digitalfire.com

Mixing, adjustment..PlainsmanClays.com

Pictures

XML (to paste into Insight)

<?xml version="1.0"?> <recipes version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"> <recipe name="Cone 6 Clear Glossy Base" id="180072" key="WLx478Ca" date="2020-06-29" codenum="G2926B" picturebasename=""> <recipelines> <recipeline material="Nepheline Syenite" amount="84.000" unitabbr="KG"/> <recipeline material="Ferro Frit 3134" amount="117.000" unitabbr="KG"/> <recipeline material="EPK" amount="90.000" unitabbr="KG"/> <recipeline material="Vansil W-30 Wollastonite" amount="32.000" unitabbr="KG"/> <recipeline material="Silica" amount="173.000" unitabbr="KG"/> <recipeline material="Silverline 303 Talc" amount="10.500" unitabbr="KG"/> </recipelines> </recipe> </recipes>

Born: 2014-05-15, Modified: 2020-06-29 22:04:28

G2926B Reduced COE (Li2O)

Total:100.00

Auto Unity Formula

Notes

This is the best of a series of tests to lower the thermal expansion of G2926B. Separate trials of substituting ZnO, SrO, Li2O for KNaO were tried (in each the brilliant surface was being marred by an orange peel like surface). This version is a hybrid, diversifying fluxes by adding Li2O and SrO. It sources SrO from Frit 524 and Li2O from Spodumene.

The calculated expansion is dramatically lower, 5.6 vs. 6.4. This should thus be much more resistant to crazing. Of course, there is an issue: Spodumene introduces bubbles into the slurry in the bucket (washing it before use could solve this). Color response might also be different.

Pictures

G2926B vs J shock test

There was no crazing at 320F, but at 340F 2926B has five cracks and this has one at the edge. It is interesting that 2926B has performed differently in different firings in this test.

2926J on P380

The surface is brilliant and clear.

G2926B vs J Cone 6 Fluidity

G2926J is flowing a little more. Fired character is very similar to B.

G2926B Reduced COE (MgO)

Total:100.00

Auto Unity Formula

Notes

This is an adjustment to G2926B to reduce its thermal expansion. It increases MgO at the expense of KNaO. Even though MgO levels are quite high, no loss of gloss has happened! The effect on lowering the thermal expansion is dramatic.

This looks very promising. With 10% added zircopax it produces a white of even lower thermal expansion. We have subjected various Plainsman P300 pieces (a difficult-to-fit-glazes-to body) to 300F:IceWater thermal shocking and there is no crazing.

Ferro Frit 3249 can be substituted for Fusion F-69 (although F-69 is more reliable for ceramics). Likely any kaolin can be used.

Although there is only 12.5% kaolin this will suspend well if you follow the same procedure as explained for G2926B. In our initial mix 5000g water and 6000g powder produced 1.47SG. That was very watery so we added about 10g of Epsom salts to gel it.

Pictures

G2926S after 300F:IceWater test on P300

No crazing after the test. The transparency and clarity of the glass is great, this looks very promising.

P300 after 300F:IceWater test

S is not crazing after two days. B crazing in the cold water.

M370 with G2926S, G2926B inside

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