Hey there, fellow ceramic enthusiasts! Welcome back to the Ceramic Materials Workshop blog. Today, we’re about to blow your minds with a fascinating revelation about those humble pyrometric cones you use in every firing. Prepare to have your perceptions challenged as we delve into the unexpected world of “cone-ception”!
Wait, I just want to understand the perfect cone bend! Read more in our article: Ceramic Cones: Understanding the Perfect Cone Bend
Cones: More Than Just Temperature Indicators
We all know that cones are essential tools for measuring temperature in our kilns. But did you ever stop to think about what they actually are?
Rose reminds us, “Cones are just glazes, glazes with specific chemical compositions that melt at specific temperatures.”
Here’s the thing: when we use cones to gauge temperature, we’re only witnessing the very beginning of their melting process – that initial softening stage. But to make a glaze, cones need to be fully melted to achieve their intended effect.
This is why a cone 10 wouldn’t work as a glaze if fired to its own cone temperature.
Did you know?
Here’s where things get really interesting. The temperature difference between cone 4 and cone 10 is a mere 123°C, falling squarely within that crucial melting window for glazes. This is when the actual melting takes place! All the other times in the firing is just building up heat to get to the last 100°C
So, what if we took a cone 4, crushed it up, and used it as a glaze fired to cone 10?Â
How do I read this chart? Find our more reading CMW’s article: Ceramic Cone Chart: Deciphering Kiln Firing Rates for Best Results
Chemistry Nerds, Rejoice!
For those who love delving into the nitty-gritty of glaze chemistry, Rose explains how “if we take Herman Seger’s chemistry for cone 4 and we plot it on Stull’s map, it falls right in the middle of the glossy section.” This further emphasizes the connection between temperature and chemistry, showcasing how cones can be more than just temperature indicators.
Want to see examples? Watch our YouTube!
Cone-ception | Using a Pyrometric Cone to Create a Ceramic Glaze – Join us as we explore the connection between temperature and glaze composition. You’ll learn how to transform a simple cone four into an impressive cone ten glaze. Get ready to expand your knowledge of ceramic cones and elevate your glaze skills to a new level!
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Ready to dive deeper?
Loved learning about ceramic glazes? Want to go even deeper? Check out our Workshops & Courses, now available in Spanish, or YouTube Channel where Matt breaks it all down, myth-busting and Stull chart included!
