Instructions

common ceramic raw materials

While not an exhaustive list of things you could potentially mix up and put in your kiln, these are the primary materials most commonly used for what we most commonly do in the ceramic studio. When you just need a quick reminder of why you are using a specific material, or as a starting place to substitute a material, check here first.

MaterialGlaze FunctionSubstituteComment
Barium CarbonateFluxStrontium carbonate 
BentoniteSuspension agentBall ClayDo not exceed 3%
Bone AshOpacifier  
BoraxFlux, glassmakerBoron frits 
Chrome OxideColorant Green
Cobalt CarbonateColorantCobalt oxideBlue
Copper CarbonateColorantCopper oxideGreens, copper reds
Cornwall StoneFlux, opacifier  
Custer FeldsparGlaze corePotash feldspar (G-200HP) 
DolomiteFlux, opacifierWhitingMany brands
EPK KaolinAlumina, opacityKaolin 
Ferro Frit 3110Glaze core, fluxPemco P-IV05, Fusion F-75Crystalline glazes
Ferro Frit 3124Glaze core, fluxF-19, P-311, Hommel 90Boron frit
Ferro Frit 3134Glaze core, fluxF-12, P-54, Hommel 14Boron frit
Ferro Frit 3195Glaze core, fluxHommel 90, Fusion F-2Complete glaze
Ferro Frit 3269Flux, glaze corePemco P-25 
Ferro Frit 3278Flux, glaze coreFusion F-60, Pemco P-830 
G-200 FeldsparGlaze corePotash feldspar (Custer) 
Green Nickel OxideColorantBlack nickel oxideBlues, tan, browns, greens, grays
Kentucky OM4 Ball ClayAlumina, opacityBall Clay 
Kona F-4 FeldsparGlaze coreSoda feldspar 
Lithium CarbonateFlux  
Magnesium CarbonateFlux, opacifier Promotes crawling
Manganese DioxideColorant Purple, red, yellow-brown
Nepheline SyeniteGlaze core  
Red Iron OxideColorant Celadon green to brown
RutileColorantIlmenite 
SilicaGlass former, glaze fitFlintUse 325 mesh
SpodumeneLithium glaze core  
Strontium CarbonateFluxBarium carbonate 
TalcFlux, opacifier Many brands
Tin OxideOpacifierZircopax 
Titanium DioxideOpacifier  
WhitingFlux, opacifierWollastonite, DolomiteMany brands
WollastoniteFlux, opacifierWhiting, dolomite 
Wood AshGlaze core, flux, colorantWhitingResults vary by type
Zinc OxideFlux, opacifier  
ZircopaxOpacifierSuperpax, Ultrox 

 

Notes

1. Substituting glaze ingredients may alter color, texture, opacity, viscosity, and/or sheen, as well as create pinholing, crazing, black spotting, and/or pitting. In most cases, additional adjustments to other ingredients need to occur when substituting.

2. Test and record your results.

3. Materials vary from supplier to supplier and batch to batch.

 

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