[Rockhounds] Mica Progress Report

[Gary Brown]

I'm working with Larry Rush's sheets of muscovite mica now.  Progress:

First test:

Mica on glass
Mica between glass

First test was with the raw mica (I also put a piece in there without any
glass to "cook" it).  The samples were heated to 1450F (standard glass fuse
temperature) and held for 15 minutes.

The mica between glass made humongous bubbles!  There was a lot of air
trapped inside the mica, along with who-knows-what.
The mica on the glass bonded OK.

The mica came out the most amazing shimmery-golden color.  Very soft, very
flexible...almost like Tyvek!

Second test, this time made with the "cooked" mica.

Mica on glass
Mica on glass with glass frit on top.
Mica between two pieces of glass.

This time, the bubbles weren't nearly so bad.  I think if I hold the glass
at 1250F for a while I can force most of the air out.

The plain-layer on top was ok.

The piece with the glass frit was VERY neat.  The glass beaded up on the
mica and bonded it nicely to the underlying glass.

Right now I've got an 8"x8" piece cooking in the kiln.  Two layers of glass
for a total of 6mm.  This is "standard" thickness for fusing.  The cooked
mica has been scattered on top and a lot of glass frit sprinkled on that
covering the mica almost completely.  Schedule (DPH = Degrees F per Hour):

300 DPH to 960  Hold 10 minutes
300 DPH to 1250 Hold 1 hour
300 DPH to 1450 Hold 15 minutes
As fast as possible to 960 F Hold for 1 hour (top of anneal)
200 DPH to 700 Hold 1 minute (complete anneal)
Kiln OFF and let cool.

Pictures to follow late tomorrow when I'm all done!

Thanks all...

Gary Brown
http://www.catspaw-minerals.com
Home of the MasMils/PLUS Mine Location Disk 

~ and ~

http://www.fusedlight.com
Contemporary Warm Glass