FYI bronze clay

FYI bronze clay

Prepared in the form of a bronze (90%Cu, 10%Sn) powder and an organic, biodegradable , non-toxic binder.

1.       Clay preparation.

The finished clay should contain 92% powder and 8% water. Use one of the methods below

Pour the required amount of powder into a small container, add water in small portions (dropwise). Mix.

Or: put a small dish on the scale. Tare the scale. Pour in the required amount of powder. Divide the mass of the powder by 0.92. Add enough water to the powder so that the scale shows the previously calculated result.

Or: Weigh the required amount of powder. Check the table for how much water you need to add. Add and mix.

Remember: it's easier to add a drop of water than to dry the clay unnecessarily.

2.       Complete the planned project.

3.       Dry thoroughly below 70 ^° C (160 ^° F)

4.       Drill, cut, grind or glue.

5.       Dry.

6.       Place the finished design in a heatproof container on a layer (at least 1/2", 1.5 cm) of coconut shell charcoal. Put the whole thing into the oven for ½ hour at 350 ⁰ C (662 ⁰ F) to burn off the binder. It is preferable that during the binder burnout the finished project is rotated so that the binder is properly burned everywhere.

7.       Carefully remove the container from the oven and place it on a heat-resistant surface.

8.       Add coconut shell charcoal to form a layer of at least 1", 2.5 cm on the prepared project.

9.       Place the container into the oven and keep at 840 ⁰ C (1544 ⁰ F) for 1 hour.

10.   It is preferable to remove the container from the oven after it has cooled down. You will then avoid the formation of oxides on the surface of the finished product.