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CMC
CMC is an abbreviation for carboxyl methyl cellulose. This
is a whitish powder which has been used by the ceramic industry for
decades and is a common ingredient used to control viscosity in the
food industry. It's available from most ceramic supply
stores.
The most common use of CMC for the glass artist is as a binder or
glue. Mixing a pint of boiling water with several heaping
tablespoons of powdered CMC results in an inexpensive glue that can
be used for pate de verre or as a general purpose glue for glass
work. It burns off cleanly in the kiln, and is non-toxic (it's
even used as a food additive).
Although it's a bit harder to find, CMC is
also available in pre-mixed (liquid) form. A related chemical,
methyl-ethyl-cellulose, is the major ingredient in Klyr-fire, a
binder marketed by Thompson Enamel.
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Copyright 2005 Brad Walker.
All rights reserved.
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