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Aluminum as an Inclusion
This is part two of a
series on using aluminum as an inclusion in glass. Click here
to go to part one.
Like most metals, different thickness of aluminum behave differently
when fired in the kiln.
When fully fused, thin pieces of aluminum (such as pieces cut
from an aluminum soft drink can) leave a dense layer of dark brown
bubbles with lighter (even golden) highlights. Paint from the
can burns off totally, leaving only the bubbles behind.
By contrast, fully fusing thinner pieces of aluminum (such as a single
layer of household aluminum foil) leaves behind a scattering of small
brown bubbles and silvery patches of metal, with broad areas of exposed
glass.
Inclusions made with more layers of foil, different sheet
thicknesses, and other forms of aluminum (such as wire and screen)
result in even more variations of color and density. For
instance, fully fusing small balls of aluminum will create a single
gas bubble
around each ball, with a scattering of dark patches as well.
And if the aluminum ball gets large enough, the bubble of gas can
burst through the glass.
As with many materials, experimentation is
the order of the day. Don't be afraid to try fully fusing
different thickness and types of aluminum. Just be careful not to use metal that's
so thick it will crack the glass.
Click here for more on firing aluminum
in the kiln.
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Copyright 2006 Brad Walker.
All rights reserved.
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