Kneth Posted August 7, 2017 Report Share Posted August 7, 2017 I'm looking for a tougher clay body for jewelry, basically less brittle and breakable, for cone 6 firing. I've tried B Mix and Frost Porcelain, but both are quite fragile in my designs. I'd love to make earrings from them, so they can't be much thicker, thus heavier. Are there additives that would help? I'm extruding these designs, so long fibrous material might not work. I'm into experimenting, however, so please offer any ideas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denice Posted August 7, 2017 Report Share Posted August 7, 2017 I had looked into a tougher white body clay, my clay retailer suggested Laguna WC 402 Half and Half. It was half B-Mix and some other white body clay, I was working on a large mural and decided it still wouldn't be strong enough. It might work for the small items you are working with. Denice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcia Selsor Posted August 7, 2017 Report Share Posted August 7, 2017 I have used frost. I wouldn't have thought is was fragile at ^6. It is translucent and vitrified,. Marcia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted August 7, 2017 Report Share Posted August 7, 2017 Fragile during making or after it's done? Porcelains have less dry strength than other bodies. White stoneware bodies have ball clay in them, and a lower percentage of non-plastic materials, so they are typically less fragile before firing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph Fireborn Posted August 7, 2017 Report Share Posted August 7, 2017 When I was using frost I thought it was pretty ridiculous tough after fired. I never tested it, but the unglazed fired body had a glossiness to it and I dropped a few of the pots and they didn't shatter into a million pieces. They weren't chunky pieces either. Frost by far seemed to be the strongest porcelain at 6 I have worked with, but again I haven't actually tested it scientifically, just hitting bad pots with hammers before they go in the trash can. How thin are you making? Can we see some pictures of what your trying to do. I don't really have any recommendations but I know others here will chime in with more details once we understand what exactly your doing better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kneth Posted August 8, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2017 Either clay body seems to break like glass after firing. The earwire is stainless, and I often break the connection point even if I try to shield it from any torque. The closed spirals would ride on a chain, but I fear they would break if the hit a desktop or something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kneth Posted August 8, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2017 One reads about high-tech super tough ceramics, but maybe those are all press formed and sintered. I'm just up the mountain from Coors, that might be an interesting tour. They probably don't tour the ceramics side tho. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted August 8, 2017 Report Share Posted August 8, 2017 My take on frost its it Glassifies which tends to make it more fragile (cone 10) B mix is white stoneware -I would go with another true porcelain that does not glassify (get brittle like glass) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Campbell Posted August 8, 2017 Report Share Posted August 8, 2017 Frost fired to maturity at Cone 6 is very strong ... I use it for earrings and they are extremely thin. It is however very fragile during the greenware stages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted August 8, 2017 Report Share Posted August 8, 2017 I must say that Chris would know this as a frost user-I would go with her recommendation since she is firing in your temp range. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kneth Posted August 8, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2017 Thanks, Chris, I'll stick with the Frost and try to figure out another way to attach the wire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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