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Art Clay™ Silver - Original Clay Type

Handout #68-007-02

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[Characteristics]
Art Clay™ SILVER consists of pure silver powder, a binding agent and water. The binding agent is produced from harmless pulp fiber. During firing, the pure silver powder solidifies. The binding agent consists of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, resulting in the release of harmless carbon dioxide and steam during firing. This product is water-based. If the clay becomes stiff during shaping, add a few drops of water and knead it well. You can prevent the silver from sticking to your hands by rubbing them with a few drops of olive oil first. Do not use rubber bands to wrap the clay in plastic wrap (they might discolor the clay). Some kilns show a different temperature from the actual one. It is known that silver will melt at 965ºC/1769ºF. It is recommended that your kiln does not exceed 900ºC/1652ºF. Oxygen can be consumed and smoke or gas may emit during firing. Always be sure to ventilate the workroom.

[Directions]

Preparation
Take out only the necessary amount of clay and kneed it well. Place the unused portion of clay in a zipper bag to prevent it from drying.

Molding
Because the piece will shrink 8-10 percent during firing, make the mold larger than the finished size.

Drying
It is necessary to dry the clay completely. Dry it the following ways:
Hair dryer Approximately 10-15 minutes with 1200w hair dryer.
Place the dryer within 6 inches from the piece
Food dehydrator Approximately 10 minutes at 145ºF
Oven Approximately 7 minutes at 330ºF
Cooking plate Approximately 7 minutes at 330ºF
Electric kiln Approximately 7 minutes 300ºF

Warning: When drying, do not apply heat over 450ºF, or the binder will burn away and the shape of the piece will change.

How to check if the piece is completely dried: Place the piece on glass or plastic and after 10-20 seconds, pick up the piece. If there is no cloud of water vapor, it is dry. (It is easiest to check cloud on black glass or plastic.)

Firing
Schedule 1 2 3
Temperature 1600ºF 1562ºF 1472ºF
Holding time 10 min. 20 min. 30 min.

Place the piece in the kiln. (If you are firing more than two pieces, make sure the pieces are not touching each other) Raise the kiln's temperature to 1472ºF and keep it there for 30 minutes, or heat at 1600ºF for 10 minutes. Then switch off the kiln. When the temperature falls below 600ºC/1112ºF, take out the piece and cool it to room temperature.

Finishing
The surface of the fired piece will be white and matte due to crystallization of silver. But luster can be obtained by polishing (e.g. with stainless brush, burnisher, buff polishing, file, sandpaper).

Completing
The completed piece is pure silver (99.9%).

[Precautions]
Keep the clay indoors, out of direct sunlight.
Use the clay soon after unsealing.
When drying and baking, take care not to get burned or start a fire.
Ventilate your workroom well during firing.
Keep this product out of the reach of children.
If you get any of this product in your eyes or mouth, flush immediately with plenty of water and call your physician.


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