[spangster]

I have some copper wire that I would like to apply and fire in an electric kiln. I don't know whether the melting of the wire will contaminate the kiln environment or harm the elements. Does anyone have any experience with firing an electric kiln with copper wire embedded in the clay?

Thanks in advance.

[Marcia Selsor]

I have fired it to 1600 F in saggars and it pretty much is toasted at that temperature. It does some nice flashing in green. I try to support a little bit away from the surface to avoid scarring the surface
I use a variety of gauges. The heat severely oxides and sometimes fries the wire .
Marcia

[Laura A Strike]

We use copper wire in pit fires for color.

You might try a soldering iron or blow torch to get a melted copper look.

Other option would be a second firing at a very low temperature with copper, check melting point for copper.


Good luck! Love to know what worked !

[OffCenter]

If you plan to fire to cone 4 or above be careful not to use too much in one place. I've had it melt into a puddle and eat halfway through a kiln shelf.

Jim

[Adele]

I don't know about the long term repercussions on your kiln, but I've done this a handful of times with no adverse results. I use 36 gauge copper wire - yup, that thin. At cone 5, it results in a line that's maybe 2 mm thick. I tried 24 gauge and it ran everywhere and melted into the shelf. I apply the wire when the pot's nearly dry and I bisque to 04 and glaze at cone 5. I am planning to try cone 6 soon, though. Depending on the glaze, the copper wire gets a nice green "halo".

[spangster]

Marcia Selsor, on 24 July 2012 - 09:34 AM, said:

I have fired it to 1600 F in saggars and it pretty much is toasted at that temperature. It does some nice flashing in green. I try to support a little bit away from the surface to avoid scarring the surface
I use a variety of gauges. The heat severely oxides and sometimes fries the wire .
Marcia

Thank you for your reply.

[spangster]

Laura A Strike, on 24 July 2012 - 12:50 PM, said:

We use copper wire in pit fires for color.

You might try a soldering iron or blow torch to get a melted copper look.

Other option would be a second firing at a very low temperature with copper, check melting point for copper.


Good luck! Love to know what worked !

Thank you for that...I'm going to try the soldering iron!! Sounds like fun....

[spangster]

OffCenter, on 24 July 2012 - 01:07 PM, said:

If you plan to fire to cone 4 or above be careful not to use too much in one place. I've had it melt into a puddle and eat halfway through a kiln shelf.

Jim

I usually only fire to 04, but that's really good to know!.

[spangster]

Adele, on 24 July 2012 - 05:55 PM, said:

I don't know about the long term repercussions on your kiln, but I've done this a handful of times with no adverse results. I use 36 gauge copper wire - yup, that thin. At cone 5, it results in a line that's maybe 2 mm thick. I tried 24 gauge and it ran everywhere and melted into the shelf. I apply the wire when the pot's nearly dry and I bisque to 04 and glaze at cone 5. I am planning to try cone 6 soon, though. Depending on the glaze, the copper wire gets a nice green "halo".

Thank you for your reply. I hadn't given thought to the size of the gauge...good to know. I'm only firing at 04 however so maybe the melting onto the shelf won't be an issue. Better put it on a firing pot just in case! Thanks again.