Seeing Red? Or Not?
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- Last Updated: Thursday, 19 June 2014 19:43
To use red or not to use red has always been “the” question! We know in the past red glazes have had issues with stability and were not very user friendly. Are they food safe? What colors can reds be fired with? Is there a special firing formula?
Many things have changed over the years in terms of the color red. Ceramists had to deal with lead/cadmium exposure, poor temperature stability, color fade, crazing, flashing, and an inherent incompatibility with certain other colors (notably copper and chrome greens). Overall, these were very temperamental colors that required a thorough understanding of the limitations of the color and strict adherence to firing temperature and application. Fortunately, our world changed!
In the mid 70’s, manufacturers developed technology to improve the color stability of the Cadmium based pigments. They applied a chemically durable envelope to the delicate CdS/Se pigment thus protecting it from glaze attack. We refer to this concept as “encapsulating” the pigment. Unfortunately, the initial color offerings were not as vibrant as the unencapsulated colors of that time. The hues were generally muted and most considered them “dirty”. The evolution of this manufacturing technique has resulted in some of the most vibrant color reds and oranges yet observed. The newest generation of encapsulated cadmium reds/oranges offers extraordinary thermal stability and can be fired in either reducing or oxidizing atmospheres. Now firing temperatures can range from shelf cone 06-6 and in some cases cone 10. (Mayco recommends testing the high fire clay bodies checking for fit). Ceramic artisans no longer need to worry about crazing or color incompatibilities! Firing the old reds too close to the heating elements is not a concern! The plugging or not plugging peepholes dilemma is over! Venting a kiln is no longer an issue! Mid and high fire ceramists now have reds/oranges available.
Mayco’s non-toxic, trouble free vibrant reds and oranges are available in several different product lines: Stroke & Coats, Foundations, and Underglazes. Many of Mayco’s Crystal glazes are combinations of vibrant and bright reds, oranges, greens and yellow!
Be assured when using Mayco’s reds and oranges you can be confident that you will have bright & intense colors, successful glaze applications and rewarding “no fail” fired projects!
Whether your palette be mixed or the colors be used alone, reds are here to stay! These are the answers to the question!