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dichroic problem
Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2003 9:16 am
by LisaBartlett
I have not used much dichroic in my work and so am ignorant. Please help.
I was doing a simple fuse of two BE pieces teal cathedral and a clear w/ black fractures and streamers. I threw some teal/pink dichroic frit on top. The frit did not full fuse. I did two separate firings - the second with two soaks one at 1100 and the second for longer at 1500 thinking it just hadn't caught up with the BE. But that didn't work. You can feel the frit. There must be some property I don't understand about the firt. HELP?
Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2003 9:34 am
by Brock
For some reason, probably surface tension vs. volume, the smaller the pieces the longer they take to melt. That could be your problem, and more heat or a longer soak will fix it. But, it may be that you have placed your dichroic frit, dichro side down, and if that's the case, the glass is floating on a dichroic base, and may never fully homogenize. Brock
Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2003 10:32 am
by LisaBartlett
I soaked for 15 min at 1100 and 20 at 1500. You think longer?
If that's not it... are you saying if I place on top with no cap, I need to place the frit piece by piece dichro up? ugh.
Re: dichroic problem
Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2003 10:45 am
by Paul Tarlow
LisaBartlett wrote:I have not used much dichroic in my work and so am ignorant. Please help.
I was doing a simple fuse of two BE pieces teal cathedral and a clear w/ black fractures and streamers. I threw some teal/pink dichroic frit on top. The frit did not full fuse. I did two separate firings - the second with two soaks one at 1100 and the second for longer at 1500 thinking it just hadn't caught up with the BE. But that didn't work. You can feel the frit. There must be some property I don't understand about the firt. HELP?
Even when the glass is fully soft, sometimes the dichroic film (which does not melt) prevents the attached glass from flowing out smoothly -- even at high temps with relatively long soaks.
Flip the piece over and fire dichro down (on fiber paper works well). The weight of the piece will smooth the dichro. You can re-smooth the surface on your final firing when you slump.
- Paul
Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2003 12:26 pm
by LisaBartlett
makes sense. will try. thanks
Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2003 1:56 pm
by Kitty
dichroic frit does not fire smooth.
it always leaves a gritty texture on top.
you have to put a cap on it, either clear frit, or a piece of clear sheet.
fire frit first, then add the cap for second firing.