After all of the excitement of creating your Silver Metal Clay project, it’s time to sinter the metal into a beautiful piece of fine jewelry. To transform your creation from fragile greenware to a usable object, it is fired in the flame of a torch or in a kiln. Torch firing has some limitations, but a kiln can open up a whole new world of creativity, allowing for larger, more complicated items, enamels, and other heat-treated techniques. Some Metal Clay bodies can only be kiln fired due to the length of time or carbon needed, such as Sterling Silver 925 and base metal clays. This is the magic of Metal Clay.
In my 2nd live FREE session, called, "Breaking the Ice: Kiln Firing," I offered Newbies and veteran kiln users alike, a 2-hour demonstration and a Q & A session for firing their Silver Metal Clay pieces. Here you will find a complete guide for running your Kiln successfully.
In addition, I made a video that accompanies this blog. The video covers things the blog doesn't and the blog offers details not discussed in the video. Use them together and you will be a pro in no time.
What You Can Expect and What Pieces Qualify When Kiln Firing.
Kiln Set Up.
Kiln Process for an Open Shelf or Open Air Firing.
Selecting and Setting the Program to Run Your Kiln.
Firing Flat and Dimensional items.
Kiln Firing, Sintering, and Silver Metal Clay Basics.
Firing PMC 925 Sterling Silver Metal Clay in Carbon.
Troubleshooting.
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Download the
Breaking the Ice: Kiln Firing
Fine Silver, 950 & 960 Metal Clay
tutorial to have at your fingertips
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What You Can Expect from a Kiln Firing
First
The binder burns away. The binder is organic, and it is reported to be non-toxic. Its smoke dissipates into the air during the firing. The fine particles of metal sinter together to form a solid piece of metal, albeit a porous metal. Depending on the version of Metal Clay used, this can take from 15 minutes to several hours.
Note: I get a headache, and I prefer not to allow anyone in the room when firing — myself included.
Second
After it is fired, you will notice a change in the appearance. Fine silver looks “kiln white” with almost a powdery white appearance. This is the look of unpolished metal through and through. Base metals may turn dark or have a rainbow appear as the heat can patina
the metal.
Third
The piece will shrink between 10% — 30% depending on what version you use and how long you fire the work. The shrinkage is due to the removal of the water and binder used to make the metal flexible. Then, the metal will sinter together.
Fourth
The piece will go from a clay-like form to solid metal. If properly constructed, it is not fragile and will not break when dropped. Strength is the most significant advantage of using a kiln.
Safety First
Heat-resistant gloves.
Long-handled metal spatula.
Your kiln should be 12” away from anything.
Good cross ventilation.
Pieces that Qualify for Kiln Firing
The Piece must be completely dry.
Size - must fit on your kiln shelf or inside the kiln bowl.
Stones fired in place must be able to tolerate the heat setting you plan to use for the kiln.
You can use a support item in your project — a combustible such as cork clay, paper clay, or wood clay, however, it also must be fully dried.
Pieces should not be fired with delicate inclusions that you want to be part of your project without ruining them, such as shells, pearls, non-fire-in-place gems, etc.
Kiln Set Up
Place on a heat-proof surface — large tile or metal surface.
Metal Clay Kiln.
Kiln shelf.
Kiln stilts.
Long-handled metal spatula.
Vermiculite in a heatproof bowl for
dimensional items.
A tile or heat-proof surface to put your piece on when you take it out of the kiln.
Kiln Process for an Open Shelf or Open Air Firing
A firing for Fine Silver, 950 & 960 Metal Clay will need Oxygen for the metal to sinter, unlike Sterling 925 Metal Clay which requires a carbon firing.
For Fine Silver, 950 & 960 Metal Clay put stilts on the bottom of the kiln.
Set a ceramic kiln shelf or fireboard on the stilts. This allows heat to circulate around the piece.
Turn on the Kiln.
Wait for “Idle” to appear.
A temperature reading on the panel should be the reading of the ambient temperature of the room.
The carbon for Sterling Silver Metal Clay reduces the oxygen atmosphere, avoiding oxidation and allowing for a full sintering therefore this is not considered an open-air firing.
Selecting and Setting the Program to Run Your Kiln
Use these three buttons to navigate the programming process:
Start/Stop button advances you through your programing choices such as, which Program, Ramp, Temperature, Hold time, 2nd Ramp, and Starting the KIln up. The same button sets the choice you want at the end of each selection.
Higher button is used to change the setting to a higher number.
Lower button is used to change the setting to a lower number. The same button is used after you set all your choices, the kiln starts, and want to review and double-check you set them correctly.
Program (PRO #1 – 9)
Choose a program, either a preset program or a user-defined program where you get to customize the settings. To set which program you want to use click the [START/STOP], then use [HIGHER] to cycle around to the program you want. We are going to create a User Defined Program (Usually one of the higher programs is not preset. Here it is Program 6 – 9). Then set the program with [START/STOP].
Ramp (RA 1)
A ramp is used to slow down your kiln, so it doesn’t hit the target temperature too quickly as when using a combustible or glass in your project. A ramp is defined by how long your kiln will take to rise to a given temperature over an hour.
For example, when using a combustible like wood, paper, or cork clay as a place holder for a hollow form, you want to ramp it to 800ºF. This means the kiln will slowly rise to the 800ºF over an hour, then will proceed to go as fast a possible to your target temperature. The temperature you want to use to sinter the Metal Clay. To set the ramp, click the [START/STOP], then use [HIGHER] or [LOWER] to cycle around to the temperature you want. Click [START/STOP] to set your choice. If you do not wish to set a ramp and you want the kiln to head to your target temperature rapidly, click the [HIGHER] until the panel reads [FULL].
Temperature (ºF ?)
Set your reading to the target temperature you want to use to sinter the Silver Metal Clay.
Click the [START/STOP], then use [HIGHER] or [LOWER] to cycle around to the temperature you want. Click [START/STOP] to set your choice.
Hold time (HLD)
How long do you want to hold the kiln at that target temperature?
Click the [START/STOP], then use [HIGHER] or [LOWER] to cycle around to the amount of time you want. Click [START/STOP] to set your choice.
Ramp (RA 2)
A second ramp is used to slow down your kiln, a second time after the program has been held at the target temperature. Some base metal clays need a slower cooling period, or some inclusions may need the same.
When you don’t need to slow down the kiln and you just want it to cool down naturally, Set the RA to 0000.
Click the [START/STOP], then use [HIGHER] or [LOWER] to cycle around to the amount of time you want. Click [START/STOP] to set your choice.
Starting the Kiln
Once you are ready you can click the [START/STOP]. You know it is on when the temperature on the panel starts going up. On my kiln, it clicks.
Review
[LOWER] doubles as the program review and only works this way after you hit the kiln starts. It’s great to check the program to make sure you set things right.
Stop
To stop the Program while in progress, cycle through until it reads [STOP].
Complete
Turn off the kiln with the ON/OFF switch when the program reads [COMPLETE] and it beeps. Yeah!!!!!
.
!!! Warnings !!!
When taking the piece out of the kiln and placing on a heat-proof surface, Never set it down in front of the controller as the heat will cause problems to the electronics.
Never shut the kiln off with the On/Off switch while it is running a program. Both of these actions will kill your controller!
Firing Flat items
Flat items can be fired right on the shelf. If it is large, some people like to put kiln paper, usually used for glass fusing, or a sprinkle of vermiculite on the shelf to avoid drag —slight distortion where the item shrinks during the sintering process.
Firing Dimensional Items
For dimensional forms, you are looking to support the item to avoid distortion. Position the item where the gravity is of least resistance, as the weight can cause slumping when the metal is extremely hot.
The following are used: (pictured in order below)
Vermiculite - look for small grain variety and place in a kiln bowl.
Alumina Hydrate* is a fine grain white substance and needs to be placed in a kiln bowl.
Fiber Blanket* is a thick pillowy substance used right on a kiln shelf.
*Warning: I personally don’t recommend either alumina hydrate or the fiber blanket because of safety concerns. Use with care, respirator, and gloves when handling, it is very toxic if inhaled.
Kiln Firing, Sintering and Silver Metal Clay
It seems the bigger the equipment in the jewelry studio the more intimidated newcomers are of that equipment. But you need not be afraid if you test your kiln and the Metal Clay you will be using first to get to know your kiln and how it behaves. Once you perform these tests you are good to go.
And when I say test, I don’t mean putting the masterpiece you spent hours on in the kiln to see how things turn out, I mean test small simple earring components not giving you the same angst of failure. I figure if I mess up, no big deal and if I don’t mess them up, well I have a nice pair of earrings.
But Why Test if the Metal Clay Manufacturer’s Instructions Have a Given Temperature and a Percentage of Shrinkage Right on the Package?
Because each kiln is ever so slightly different. Temperatures on a kiln can vary, and even new Metal Clay kilns at high mountain levels, for example, may need to be adjusted for the elevation difference. Also overtime a kiln may need to be adjusted. For instance, my 10-year-old kiln needs 10ºF more added to the temperature to register as accurate. The only true way to know the shrinkage of a given brand of Metal Clay is to measure yours before greenware and after fired piece.
Understanding Metal Clay Sintering Basics:
It’s all about the Sintering. As you know Metal Clay is made up of particles of metal, an organic binder, and water. It is the ability for the binder and water to be removed with the intense heat of the kiln, and the remaining metal particles to sinter together and form a solid piece of metal.
Fire as hot as you can and as long as you can allowable “for your project” for the strongest most durable end product. For fine silver that is 1650°F for 2 hours (PMC3, Art Clay Silver, Cool Tools FS999, FYI Silver, and Metal Clay Powder*. (Other clays may have not been tested or have different schedules, and other unknown properties - Prometheus is a good example as its highest temperature is 1292º F. It bubbles at 1650ºF, which scientifically speaking baffles me as it is stated to be pure fine silver)
The sintering of the metal is the key element in the process. At the lower temperatures of the firing schedule, the silver particles sinter together, but it is NOT a full sinter, leaving microscopic spaces. At higher temperatures, the metal DOES fully sinter and becomes a more dense material, thus there is more shrinkage at a full sinter as well. Ok, what does this mean? This means at all levels of firing on the firing schedule you will get a hard piece of metal, however, at the lower temperatures, the metal will not hold up to the same amount of abuse, wear and tear, and stress as a piece fired at the higher temperatures. Pieces fired at the highest temperature not only fully sinter, but the metal can actually gently bend without breaking.
There are reasonable uses for some of the lower firing temperatures such as glass, gems, and fire-in-place inclusions, but the usage of the final item, construction, and design should be considered. For instance, earrings and pins get less wear and tear than rings, so firing at low temperatures for a ring would not be prudent. Also, delicate parts or construction like filigree or prongs need high firing also. In fact, I never fire an entire piece at the 1,110°F firing schedule since my “personal” feeling is the strength is compromised. I hear too many reports of breakage and have experienced some myself in the early days. There are exceptions to the rule such as adding an element in a second firing that can not handle higher temperatures, however that item would require no wear and tear. Examples include adding low fire gems, glass or a flat metal addition.
We were Told Firing at 1650°F for 15 Minutes is Almost as Good as Firing for 2 Hours, is this True?
There had been tests conducted by the PMC Guild when they were in existence suggesting when firing at 1,650°F for 15 minutes compared to a 2-hour firing, there was a small advantage to firing for 2 hours, but the difference was very small - a 2% difference I think it was. For this reason, teachers may choose to use the shorter firing time during a class setting without compromising the strength of the given project due to time constraints.
So Why A Full Firing Schedule?
There are factors that need to be considered before selecting your firing schedule. One firing schedule does not fit all projects:
The Sturdiness of the design. Is your project delicate with filigree and very thin parts and appendages? Is it sturdy enough to hold up to wear and tear or should you fire at higher temperatures to avoid breakage?
Manipulation and use of the end item. Will the piece need to be worked further requiring shaping, bending, or hammering? Will it get a lot of abuse such as a ring or a bracelet would?
Are there inclusions? Are you firing in place glass, gems, or inclusions that require a lower firing schedule? If so, you may need to alter the clay thickness, design of the piece, and consider the stress on its end-use. A new sturdier construction plan may also need to be considered.
Let me again emphasize that all projects should be fired as high as they can with consideration of the inclusions for the strongest most durable results.
Firing PMC 925 Sterling Silver Metal Clay
Because Sterling Silver has 7.5% copper and 92.5% silver, it has enough copper to require a Carbon Firing to avoid oxidation during the sintering process.
What you need for this two-step firing process:
Kiln.
Steel firing pan and lid — a good quality pan sheds less dust and can be purchased at a restaurant supply store or Metal Clay manufacturer.
Activated carbon.
STEP 1
First, you need to remove the binder by firing your work on an open shelf.
Heat to 1000°F for 30 minutes, a bit more for thicker pieces.
After firing, allow the work to cool completely and handle pieces carefully as they are more fragile.
STEP 2
Carefully, transfer the piece to a stainless steel firing container that has a half-inch layer of activated carbon.
Keep the pieces at least 1/4” apart.
Place another layer of carbon covering the pieces about a 1/2”. You can fire several pieces in multiple layers. Make sure to leave a 1/2” of carbon in between each layer.
Cover with a lid and heat to fire at 1500°F
Hold for at least 1 hour.
Allow the work to cool while buried in the carbon, so the Sterling comes out cleanly.
Test strips are recommended for carbon firings.
Troubleshooting
My piece came out of the kiln with tiny bubble, what happened?
If your piece had any moisture, it could come out with some small bubbles. Make sure your piece is bone dry before putting it in the kiln.
I think I melted my piece, How can I tell?
Your piece will have bubbles on it, usually a bit larger than described above for a wet piece. Another, more obvious sign is a big blob of metal left behind. First, check your firing temperature matches the Metal Clay you are using. Next, check your kiln is running at the proper temperature. See “How Do I Know If My Metal Clay Kiln Is Running Hot And How To Fix It?”
My piece warped in the kiln, Why?
It happens sometimes due to the intense heat and gravity, but there are things you can do. First, make sure it is well supported in the kiln in vermiculite. Next, position your piece where gravity is of least resistance — heavy part facing down. In the case of a lentil, () submerge the point down verses on its belly. You can also use a combustible for hollow forms. Warping can also be worked out with nylon pliers or tapping it with a rubber mallet on a bench block or form. Make sure your piece is sandwiched in leather to avoid marring surfaces.
My piece broke, Ahhhhhhh Help!
This is the symptom of a piece being too thin, a fissure, or crack in the piece or not being sintered properly. Check these items and your kiln temperature. To fix it, you can add Metal Clay and refire. See "Successful Post–Fired Metal Clay Connections"
Metal Clay Comparison Chart
Lists the firing temperatures of ALL available clays. This is a public document kept up to date by manufacturers and other contributors
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Live Online Class for ALL Abilities
I’m adding Jewelry classes regularly with small, live, interactive, online group sessions. Simply great connectivity with other artists during this pandemic, and tons of learning.
Click here for details or click on the Class Title
Whimsical Critters NEW Master Class
Tuesday, April 13 - June 1, 2021
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm EST
(12:00 pm CST, 11:00 am MST, 10:00 am PST)
(8) week group sessions
60 min. Live & Interactive on Go to Meeting
All levels of ability (Kiln Fired)
Wednesday, April 21 - May 19, 2021
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm EST
(12:00 pm CDT, 11:00 am MDT, 10:00 am PDT)
(5) week group sessions
60 min. Live & Interactive on Go to Meeting
(Kiln Fired)
Bezel Setting Like A Pro 1 Spot Left
Thursday, April 22 - May 13, 2021 6:00 PM- 7:00 PM EST
(11:00 pm GMT, 5:00 pm CST, 4:00 pm MST, 3:00 pm PST)
(4) week group sessions
60 min. Live & Interactive on Go to Meeting
All levels of ability
(Torch or Kiln Fired)
Nefertem Perfume Bottle: NEW God of Perfume Master Class Monday, April 26 - May 24, 2021
1:00 PM- 2:00 PM EST
(6:00 pm GMT, 12:00 pm CST, 11:00 am MST, 10:00 am PST)
(5) week group sessions
60 min. Live & Interactive on Go to Meeting
All levels of ability (Kiln Fired)
Friday, April 9 - June 11, 2021
6:00 PM- 7:30 PM EST
(11:00 pm GMT, 5:00 pm CST, 4:00 pm MST, 3:00 pm PST)
(10) week group sessions
90 min. Live & Interactive on Go to Meeting
Thursday, April 29 - June 3, 2021
6:00 PM- 7:00 PM EST
(11:00 pm GMT, 5:00 pm CST, 4:00 pm MST, 3:00 pm PST)
(6) week group sessions
60 min. Live & Interactive on Go to Meeting
All levels of ability (Kiln Fired)
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
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Thank you so much for your most informative post. You were so thorough,and made it easy to understand.