These sixteen GBMF test balls have melted down onto a slab of grogged clay. Kiln fired at 108F/hr for the last 100 degrees F and held for 15 minutes. This demonstrates the comparison value of this test and how various frits compare in their melting character.

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This method uses 3% Veegum. A 0.01g scale is required (the amount of Veegum needs to be precise since it affects melting). Weigh 11g of the frit and 0.33 of Veegum. Put them in a small ziplock bag, zip it to entrap air and roll the zipper down to inflate it. Shake well to mix. Stir the powder into water (~5-8g) in a small bowl. Pour it onto a plaster slab - it dewaters very quickly (e.g. as little as 10 seconds) - just as the water sheen is gone, peel it up with a rubber rib. Smear it back down and peel it up every few seconds until it is plastic and formable (but not sticky). Roll it into a ball, label it and dry it under a heat lamp (this could take an hour, the Veegum really holds on to the water). When dry we use a sharp knife to cut off enough to bring it down to 9 grams. One caveat: The Veegum is a melting catalyst, balls will flow noticeably more, this is not an issue if you are comparing the melts of two materials (but it is for tests meant to be absolute).
| Materials |
Ferro Frit 3565
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| Materials |
Fusion Frit F-15
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| Materials |
Ferro Frit CC-257-2
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| Materials |
Ferro Frit CC-257
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| Materials |
Fusion Frit FZ-556
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| Materials |
Fusion Frit FZ-557
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| Materials |
Fusion Frit F-49
|
| Materials |
Chrysanthos Frit FR001
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| Materials |
Chrysanthos Frit FR006
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| Materials |
Chrysanthos Frit FR002N
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| Materials |
Ferro Frit 3249
A magnesia borosilicate frit. Very low thermal expansion and melting point. Invaluable in pottery to increase the MgO in glazes and thereby prevent crazing. |
| Materials |
Ferro Frit 3124
A commonly available calcium borosilicate frit. |
| Materials |
Frit B325
|
| Materials |
Frit LA-300
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| Materials |
Fusion Frit F-524
A low fire base glaze, add 10% kaolin, adjust thermal expansion using other frits. |
| Materials |
Fusion Frit F-69
A magnesia borosilicate frit having very low thermal expansion and melting point. Commonly used as a substitute for Ferro frit 3249. |
| Materials |
Fusion Frit F-38
High strontium low alumina borosilicate flux. |
| Tests |
Glaze Melt Fluidity - Ball Test
A test where a 10-gram ball of dried glaze is fired on a porcelain tile to study its melt flow, surface character, bubble retention and surface tension. |
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