LilyT Posted September 20, 2012 Report Share Posted September 20, 2012 Does anyone know whether b-mix (cone 5) works for raku? It seems pretty open and porous when I bisque it to cone 06. Thanks! -LilyT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denice Posted September 20, 2012 Report Share Posted September 20, 2012 If the B-Mix makes it through the stress of Raku firing you will end up with a pretty fragile piece. You need to use a clay the vitrified near the temperature you are firing at. Compared to a toothy raku clay B-Mix is not porous or strong, a good raku clay will give you good dependable results. Denice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilyT Posted September 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2012 Thanks, Denice, for your thoughts! I ask because at UCSD, we used to use a regular cone 5 stoneware clay for raku (Bruce's white. It has sand, not grog in it for wet strength), and it seemed to do ok. I still have some of the pieces after 15 years, but I don't stress them much so I really can't speak to fragility. I'm not really familiar with raku clays, I didn't even realize they vitrify at raku temps... I would have thought that would make them more fragile during the rapid cooling cycle (but maybe they mature without much cristabolite at that temp). So if I try it, maybe I will do some informal strength tests. Can I ask what clay you use for raku? Thanks! -Lily Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendey Posted September 20, 2012 Report Share Posted September 20, 2012 I've used B-Mix 5 and it cracks reliably. B-Mix 5 with grog is fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilyT Posted September 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2012 I've used B-Mix 5 and it cracks reliably. B-Mix 5 with grog is fine. Hi, Wendey, Do you use water in your raku reduction? -LilyT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denice Posted September 21, 2012 Report Share Posted September 21, 2012 I don't fire Raku any more but I had one semester in college where I did test firing of Raku clays and glazes daily. I was taught using the right clay for the firing temperature was extremely important as to glaze fit and durability. We have a Laguna Clay dealer here so I would buy the Laguna Raku clay I have thought about doing Naked Raku but their has been a burn ban for several years because of the drought and grass fires and no end in sight. We bought a fire pit table got to use it once and then fire pits were banned for the summer, guess I'll just stick to C6 oxidation. Denice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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