John Hesselberth on wed 24 mar 99
During the extended discussion on glaze stability that took place on
Clayart a couple weeks ago, I had several requests for information on how
to have glazes tested at Alfred. I thought it might be timely to repost
the instructions for doing this now that everyone is back from NCECA.
Happy glaze testing. John
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1. Make a small cup (mug size), glaze it and fire it at your standard
conditions.
I usually put a cone pack right next to the cup so I will know exactly
what
temperature it saw during firing.
2. Send the cup to:
Dr. Roland Hale, Director
Alfred Analytical Laboratory
4964 Kenyon Road
Alfred Station, NY 14803
3. Enclose a note specifying what to test for and a check (U.S. funds)
based on the following fees:
There is a standard $10 fee per sample to do the acetic acid extraction.
Add $10 for each metal you want analyzed.
Example: Analyzing a single sample for lead, copper and cobalt would cost
$40.
If you want your samples returned there is an additional fee for shipping
and handling of $15 per order.
4. If you send multiple samples make sure they are well labeled so you
will know which result goes with which sample.
5. In 2-3 weeks you will receive a written report on your glaze. This
laboratory is a New York State approved Environmental Testing Laboratory
and your report will come on a form stating that. I have found
Roland, and the others in the lab I have talked to, to be extremely
helpful and courteous. It is a small, friendly place with Roland usually
answering the phone himself.
6. While there is no requirement that you send the glaze composition or
firing conditions, Roland and I would appreciate it if you would. He is
bound
by state law to keep the information you send confidential unless you
release him to disclose it. I would appreciate it if you would give
Roland permission to share the results with me. A number of people have
now done this and this is a very efficient way for you to help me build a
data base from which all of us on Clayart can learn.
Any questions? Call the laboratory at 607-478-8074 or fax at
607-478-5324.
John Hesselberth
Frog Pond Pottery
P.O. Box 88
Pocopson, PA 19366 USA
EMail: john@frogpondpottery.com web site: http://www.frogpondpottery.com
"It is time for potters to claim their proper field. Pottery in its pure
form relies neither on sculptural additions nor on pictorial decorations.
but on the counterpoint of form, design, colour, texture and the quality
of the material, all directed to a function." Michael Cardew in "Pioneer
Pottery"
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