I want to insert a thin copper rod into the piece before I do the final firing. I want the rod to remain permanently embedded. Using a permanent glue has been tried, and I'm unhappy with the results.
2007-04-07 06:02:46 · 5 answers · asked by roseshyre7 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Sculpture
Hey Rose,
Copper melts at 1084.6 degrees Centigrade, approximately 786 F, and Ceramic has a transition that takes place in any clay when it is heated to approximately 1140 F or higher. So, the copper would melt.
2007-04-08 07:10:32 · answer #1 · answered by BuyTheSeaProperty 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
YES. The biggest thing I can tell you is EXPERIMENT. It is so important for you to test and find out what you want to get as a final result. I have seen many artists use rods of metal in their ceramics, melted in varying degrees. Start out looking at the melting point of copper (around 1080 C) and try firing in that temperature range (cone 03 1/2). You can do several different kinds of experiments. The easiest is to make small "throwaway" pieces that are in a similar shape to what you want to do in your final piece and see how the rods you have will melt on them so that you can decide how far you can push what you want and what the material will do for you. Hopefully you can get a good idea of where to go from what information you get from your experiments. Two things to keep in mind, because you are melting the copper, it will expand so you may have to make a holding area for the copper to melt into that is a little larger than the rod, and copper has a tendency to change in the kiln and affect the glaze that is around it, so don't forget to use the same glazes that you are going to use with the piece. I put a white glaze up against a glaze with a lot of copper in it and had a green bleed Thu the white. I hope that helps!
2007-04-07 15:12:27 · answer #2 · answered by Kathy 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, the melting point for copper is lower than what you would fire at and the copper would burn away. You will have to attach the metal after you fire it. The only other options I can think of is to try a different glue or use a metallic glaze to get the same look-there are tons of glazes out there now that are very fun and beautiful.
2007-04-07 14:26:50 · answer #3 · answered by alia 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I just wanted to say that if you decide to experiment, make sure you have a bisque-ware bowl or something underneath to catch anything that might melt or drip. This will save your kiln shelves.
I have a friend who experimented with shards of glass stuck into the sides of her pottery. If you are careful you might come up with something great!
Good Luck.
2007-04-08 15:35:24 · answer #4 · answered by Liz 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is a product, a threaded rod made of (?) that was made for just that...
2007-04-08 21:16:43 · answer #5 · answered by horsesrluv 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋