Ceramicists, metal sculptors, and other types of artists use kilns to create or add finishing touches to their work. Whether you’re a professional artist or just enjoy creating beautiful and functional objects, you may already own or have access to a kiln. Keeping a kiln in good working order involves following operating instructions as well as recommendations. This includes making sure that it is well-maintained and inspected on a regular basis to determine whether or not any repairs may be needed.
On average, kilns are able to fire up to 1,800 to 2,400 degrees Fahrenheit. When you place objects into the kiln to fire, it’s important to keep them at least 1-1/2 inches away from the heating elements. These elements will usually last for approximately 100 firings before they need to be replaced. Once the elements have a nine percent increased resistance, however, experts recommend changing them.
Ceramic, as you’re aware, is considerably heat resistant. It can stand up to temperatures of 2,000 degrees Celsius or 3,800 degrees Fahrenheit. When you’re looking for ceramic coatings, it’s helpful to know that ITC ceramic coatings are able to stand up to 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit. You may know that there are five different types of ITC ceramic coating. Here are some of the available coatings that can be utilized for a variety of purposes, which includes ceramics and metals:
- ITC 148 ceramic coating
- ITC 100 ceramic coating
- ITC 100HT ceramic coating
- ITC 213 ceramic coating for metals
- ITC 296A ceramic top coating
- ITC 200 EZ ceramic repair
Since you want to use these coatings properly, be sure to follow the ITC 100 instructions thoroughly. In addition to the ITC 100 instructions, you’ll want to make note of the specific directions for using the other types of coatings. Many artists will experiment with different types of coatings until they find the ones that work best for their projects.
If you have any questions about the different types of coatings that are available, you can contact a professional representative to learn more. When you’re exploring new art forms or expanding your production, you’re going to want to have everything you need on-hand so you don’t have to interrupt your creative process. Once you learn more about the different types of supplies you’ll need on a regular basis, you can stock up for added convenience.