Glossary

 

A generell distinction must be drawn between organic and inorganic additives. Inorganic products are mostly selected clay-based raw materials which prevent the glaze slip from sedimentaion during the glazing process (and during a longer storage) and increase the grip of the dried glaze. Furthermore, especially when applied with a brush, the brushability of the glaze slurry is better than without the use of inorganic additives. Many of our powder glazes do contain these substances already, so that the processing behavior of the glaze is optimized. Unfortunately, these inorganic additives take part in the formation of the glaze, so that a correspondingly higher addition can cause a change in colour and effect (e.g. mattifying).

 

Because of this possible interaction, not every glaze can be provided with inorganic additives. Nevertheless, the brushability of our glazes can be further improved through the use of organic additives (e.g CMC or a commercial brushing medium). If there are no or only inorganic additives in the powder glaze, we label our original sales units with following information: "Glaze contains no additives. We recommend adding a glaze binder and / or a suspending agent depending on the type of application".

 

Unfortunately, the addition of an organic additive to a glaze powder can also have disadvantages. Many of the organic additives that are good for brushing make the glaze slip very thick and the wetting time increases. Consequently these slips are more difficult to apply by pouring or dipping. Furthermore, most of the organic additives are not stable to aging, so that a biocide must be added to the glaze powder in parallel. Since biocides have a labelling obligation, our powder glazes do not contain any organic suspending agent or biocides.

Further addition of organic additives should be carefully considered. If too much organic additives are added, the glaze is usually "glued over", the glaze application by brush seems to be excellent, but the glaze layer remains quite thin due to the longer wetting time. Thus, the firing result can also be unsatisfactory.

Nevertheless, if brushing the glaze is considered, we recommend to use a commercial brushing medium for an even glaze finish as you can buy from your local dealer.