[Rockhounds] Mica Progress Report

[Nick & Brenda Van Dyke]

very interesting Larry, but why, oh why are you doing it?

On 10/2/07, Gary Brown <gbrown at catspaw-minerals.com> wrote:
>
> 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
>
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