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microwave drying

updated fri 30 mar 07

 

Barbara Kobler on tue 25 nov 03


Glad your attempt was successful but I think you were very lucky.
When I want to force dry I use the home oven. For slow dry 180degrees for a couple hours up to whatever it takes..12, 24, 48. For faster for stuff almost dry then 180 for a while then up to 325 a while and then up to 375. Never have had a crack or bursting. Thickness range from 1/4" to 1". People in the group studio who tried microwave had many explosions. Good luck.

Barbara Kobler http://www.claywoman.net

louroess2210 on tue 27 mar 07


On Mar 27, 2007, at 6:17 AM, mel jacobson wrote:

> microwave ovens
> are used to bring the product to zero moisture content.

Mel, I make a lot of pieces using glass molds and I will often put
the piece on the mold into the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds. This
will usually stiffen it up enough so it holds its shape when removed
from the mold and I can reuse the mold right away. The clay will be
warm , of course, when it comes out, so I let it cool off a bit which
lets some of the moisture evaporate before unmolding.
I also use the microwave to stiffen up clay that is too soft and
just to heat up cold clay a bit so it is warmer and more pleasant to
wedge.
(I also use it to reheat my coffee when it cools off while I'm
engrossed in clay.)
I don't know how they use it to get zero moisture. Any time I've
left the clay in too long the piece explodes from the steam build-up.
In hopes this might be useful to someone-
Regards, Lou

mel jacobson on tue 27 mar 07


paul,
i have seen pix in a tech/industrial magazine showing
microwave ovens the size of a car on top the production
line of a commercial white ware factory.

they are used to bring the product to zero moisture content.
then the firing can just blaze along.

through a tunnel kiln in jig time.

as we say...you can sure bisque fire fast when
there is no water.
mel


from: mel/minnetonka.mn.usa
website: http://www.visi.com/~melpots/

Clayart page link: http://www.visi.com/~melpots/clayart.html

WJ Seidl on wed 28 mar 07


Lou and all:
Please remember that industrial bodies are MUCH more dry than what we use
as potters. The bodies used in industrial process are used for
ram-pressing, and are almost a powder. A quick peek back into the previous
issues of Ceramic Industrial confirmed that for me. Look at the ads for the
suppliers.
As such, there is not a lot of moisture to begin with to be driven from the
body. A microwave would do nicely.
Best,
Wayne Seidl

-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of louroess2210
Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2007 10:34 AM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Re: microwave drying

On Mar 27, 2007, at 6:17 AM, mel jacobson wrote:

> microwave ovens
> are used to bring the product to zero moisture content.

Mel, I make a lot of pieces using glass molds and I will often put
the piece on the mold into the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds. This
will usually stiffen it up enough so it holds its shape when removed
from the mold and I can reuse the mold right away. The clay will be
warm , of course, when it comes out, so I let it cool off a bit which
lets some of the moisture evaporate before unmolding.
I also use the microwave to stiffen up clay that is too soft and
just to heat up cold clay a bit so it is warmer and more pleasant to
wedge.
(I also use it to reheat my coffee when it cools off while I'm
engrossed in clay.)
I don't know how they use it to get zero moisture. Any time I've
left the clay in too long the piece explodes from the steam build-up.
In hopes this might be useful to someone-
Regards, Lou

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Thomas Malone on thu 29 mar 07


Hello Wayne.

I m rather confused about your last message, and wonder if you have
confused RAM pressing with another technique. Bodies used for RAM pressing
are plastic rather than powder, and so their moisture contents are very
similar to those used for throwing. Also RAM pressing, whilst used in
industry, is by far from the most popular shaping technique. Having said
that of all the factories I spent time on, none used microwave drying.