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I'm new to the Warm Glass forum, so first, thanks for including me. I am doing high fire temparature melts and discovering that transparent red does not stay red once it reaches high temps of 1700 degrees. The red turns a muddy liver brown, kinda yucky looking. So my question is, what, if any, COE90 reds work well for high fire melts and pours? Thanks in advance for your answers.

The transparents will usually turn opaque and ugly.

Of the opaques, 0024 Tomato Red seems to hold up best. The 0124 Red often reduces to brown.

Great. Thanks Brad.

Can you try an oxidizing atmosphere?
Jim

Lee Sorg wrote:Great. Thanks Brad.

jim simmons wrote:Can you try an oxidizing atmosphere?

You could, but it's bad for the kiln elements.

Thanks for the suggestion Jim. I'm not sure how to oxidize the atmosphere in a kiln. But it sounds like this would not be a safe approach anyway. I did go ahead and order the 0024 Tomato Red — it looks like using this glass will work. After my first attempt using transparent red did not work out so well, I need a path that will yield a predictable result. Thanks again, all your feedback is much appreciated.

Brad Walker wrote:

jim simmons wrote:Can you try an oxidizing atmosphere?

You could, but it's bad for the kiln elements.

Isn't it opposite of that? A reducing atmosphere will strip off the protective oxide coating that is on the elements.

You have to move to casting glasses to find a red that will work in high fire melts. Look at Burnt Scarlet Striker--it holds up very well to the heat. It is not a pure fire-engine red, however--it's got a bit of an orangey cast and is a little dark in thick castings. In thinner applications, such as pot melts, it'll probably look fine.

Thanks Cynthia, I'll give the Burnt Scarlet Striker a try.
btw: Very cool piece!