Can Mayco Stroke And Coat Be Fired To Cone 6?

What is Mayco Stroke and Coat?

Mayco Stroke and Coat is a heavily pigmented, viscous glaze line from Mayco Colors that can be used for brush strokes or opaque coverage. According to the Mayco website, “Stroke & Coat® is a heavily pigmented, viscous glaze line that can be used for brush strokes or opaque coverage. Use these glazes to create intricate, detailed surfaces” (https://www.maycocolors.com/color/fired/stroke-coat/).

The intended uses for Mayco Stroke and Coat are:

• Creating brush strokes and designs on bisque or glazed surfaces
• Achieving opaque, solid color coverage on bisque
• Adding details and accents over an existing glaze
• Producing brightly colored, vibrant finishes

In summary, Mayco Stroke and Coat is a versatile, highly pigmented glaze product line designed for brushed application and creating decorative effects on pottery and ceramic ware.

Typical Firing Range for Mayco Stroke and Coat

Mayco Stroke and Coat is typically fired to cone 06-04 according to manufacturer recommendations. This low to mid-range firing temperature allows the bright colors and smooth surface of Stroke and Coat to be maintained. Firing to higher temperatures can cause the colors to become dull and muted.

Most artists fire Stroke and Coat between cone 06 (1801°F / 982°C) and cone 04 (1945°F / 1063°C). Cone 06 is common for thin applications, while cone 04 is often used for thicker build ups of color. Firing too low below cone 06 risks underfiring the Stroke and Coat which can lead to poor adhesion and durability.

What is Cone 6?

Cone 6 refers to a specific firing temperature range used in ceramic firing. Pyrometric cones, or “cones,” are small pyramid-shaped objects made of specific clay mixtures that bend and melt at predictable temperatures during the firing process. The bending and melting helps indicate when ceramics have reached their optimal firing temperature.

Cones are numbered from lower temperatures like Cone 022 to higher temperatures like Cone 10. Cone 6 represents a medium temperature range, typically between 2,165°F – 2,205°F (1,185°C – 1,210°C). This temperature range is considered a stoneware firing range. Many clay bodies, glazes, and colors are designed to mature and become optimally fired and hardened within the Cone 6 temperature window.

Firing to Cone 6 allows clay and glazes to vitrify and become durable enough for functional ware while still having a wide range of glazing options. Cone 6 is a popular range for firing stoneware clay and glazes. The cone number helps provide an objective target for the firing process.

Factors to Consider when Firing to Cone 6

When firing to higher temperatures like cone 6, there are a few important factors to consider:

Clay body and glaze compatibility – Make sure the clay body and glazes are formulated for cone 6 firing. Using a low-fire clay with high-fire glazes can cause issues like glaze crawling. Select glazes that mature at cone 6 temperatures. According to this source, some good cone 6 glaze lines include Mayco’s SPC and CeCo’s Celsius.

Glaze chemistry changes – Glaze chemistry and appearance can change dramatically between cone 04 and cone 6 firings. The same glaze results can differ. Test all glazes at cone 6 temperatures to ensure the desired look. Glazes may become more matte or develop more crystallization at higher fire.

Testing recommended – Due to the significant effects of high temperature on glazes, testing is strongly recommended before firing a kiln load. Test glaze compatibility with clay bodies, check for pinholing issues, and test layering techniques. Confirm glazes develop the expected colors and surfaces after cone 6 firing.

Potential Challenges Firing Mayco Stroke and Coat to Cone 6

Firing Mayco Stroke and Coat glaze to cone 6 temperatures can present some potential challenges. The higher heat work can cause defects in the glaze itself.

One common issue is pinholing, where small holes or craters form in the glazed surface. This can be caused by gases escaping through the glaze at the higher temperatures. Some clay bodies are also more prone to pinholing when fired hotter. According to discussions on ceramic forums, Mayco Stroke and Coat can sometimes exhibit pinholing when fired to cone 6 temperatures (https://community.ceramicartsdaily.org/topic/31612-mayco-stroke-and-coat-giving-a-pitted-surface/).

Crazing is another problem that can occur when firing this glaze too hot. Crazing refers to fine cracks that form in the glaze surface. This happens when there is a mismatch between the clay body and glaze coefficients of expansion. The high heat of cone 6 can bring out crazing in some glaze and clay combinations.

In some cases, Stroke and Coat can also become too melted and run off the form at cone 6 temperatures. This can cause loss of detail and make the glaze unsuitable for intricate brushwork. The high heat work can change the glaze viscosity and make it more fluid. Care must be taken to prevent melting defects.

Testing on tile samples is recommended to check for any glaze flaws before doing a full kiln firing with artwork. Adjustments to the clay body or firing schedule may help mitigate some of these potential issues when firing Mayco Stroke and Coat to cone 6.

Tips for Successfully Firing Mayco Stroke and Coat to Cone 6

When firing Mayco Stroke and Coat glazes to cone 6, it’s important to take some precautions to ensure success:

Test tiles first. Always test a few tiles with the glazes before putting them on finished pieces. Test different application thicknesses and make sure the glazes mature properly without defects like pinholing, cracking, or crazing at cone 6 temperatures (Stroke and Coat Application Guide).

Adjust the firing schedule. Ramp up and down at the proper rates, include holds or soaks at critical points, and make sure you reach the target cone 6 temperature. A customizable electric kiln with a kiln sitter or pyrometer is ideal. Firing too fast can cause glaze defects (Mayco Stroke and Coat).

Use compatible clay bodies. Some clay bodies contain minerals that can interact poorly with glazes at higher temperatures. Use clay recommended by the glaze manufacturer for mid-range firing to avoid glaze-body incompatibilities.

Taking these precautions before committing finished pieces to a cone 6 firing will help ensure the Mayco Stroke and Coat glazes mature fully and smoothly.

Recommended Clay Bodies for Cone 6 Firing

There are several clay bodies that are well-suited for firing to cone 6 temperatures:

Stoneware

• Laguna B-Mix (https://www.lagunaclay.com/b-mix) – A versatile, smooth, dark-firing stoneware.
• Highwater Clays Standard Clay (https://highwaterclays.com/products/highwater-standard-clay) – A durable, versatile stoneware good for both handbuilding and throwing.
• Amaco Buff Stoneware (https://www.amaco.com/t/glazes-and-underglazes/clays/stoneware/buff-stone) – A smooth, buff-colored stoneware.

Porcelain

• Laguna Babu Porcelain (https://www.lagunaclay.com/babu) – A very white, smooth, fine-grained porcelain.
• Standard Clay Porcelain (https://standardceramic.com/product/porcelain/) – An extremely white and translucent porcelain.
• Aardvark Cone 5/6 Porcelain (https://aardvarkclay.com/product/cone-5-6-porcelain/) – A versatile, plastic, white-firing porcelain.

These clay bodies are commonly used by potters and artists for firing to cone 6 temperatures. Their smooth texture and durability make them ideal for both handbuilding and wheelthrowing techniques.

Sample Cone 6 Firing Schedule

When firing to cone 6, a typical firing schedule would involve several stages:

1. The initial ramp up stage – Increase kiln temperature at a rate of around 350°F per hour until reaching 1550-1600°F. This gradual ramp up allows moisture to evacuate slowly from unfired clay.

2. Soaking at top temperature – Hold the kiln at around 2100°F for 10-20 minutes. This allows the clay and glazes to mature fully at the peak temperature.

3. Cooling stage – Turn off kiln and allow temperature to decrease steadily at around 350°F per hour until approximately 1500-1550°F. Then allow kiln to cool naturally with the door closed until completely cool.

An example cone 6 firing schedule could be: C6DHSC Firing Schedule

Ramp up at 350°F/hr to 2100°F

Hold at 2100°F for 10 minutes

Cool at 350°F/hr to 1550°F

Allow to cool naturally until room temperature

This gradual ramp up, hold time, and controlled cooling allows clay and glazes to fully mature and develop their best properties when fired to cone 6 temperatures. The schedule aims to avoid defects like cracking or glaze imperfections.

Results from Firing Mayco Stroke and Coat to Cone 6

Mayco Stroke and Coat can achieve beautiful results when fired to cone 6. According to Mayco’s product brochure, Stroke and Coat has a wide firing range and can be fired anywhere from cone 06 to cone 6 (https://www.maycocolors.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/2021-Stroke-Coat-brochure-1.pdf). When fired to cone 6, Stroke and Coat glazes develop richer colors and a smooth, glassy surface.

Here are some examples of Stroke and Coat glazes fired to cone 6:

– Stroke and Coat blues develop a deep cobalt blue at cone 6 with a glossy finish (https://www.maycocolors.com/color/fired/stroke-coat/).

– Greens like Stroke and Coat Moss show more variation and depth when fired to cone 6 temperatures (https://www.maycocolors.com/color/fired/stroke-coat/).

– Earthy tones like Stroke and Coat Terracotta turn a rich warmer red-brown color at cone 6 (https://www.maycocolors.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/2021-Stroke-Coat-brochure-1.pdf).

Many potters enjoy using Stroke and Coat at cone 6 because it develops a durable, functional glaze suited for everyday use. The colors are vibrant and interesting at these higher temperatures. With proper firing, Stroke and Coat can achieve beautiful cone 6 results.

Conclusion

In summary, Mayco Stroke and Coat can successfully be fired to cone 6 with proper preparation and firing techniques. The key points to keep in mind are:

• Stroke and Coat is formulated for firing in the low to mid-range temperatures, typically cones 06-04.
• Firing to cone 6, which reaches 2,165°F, puts Stroke and Coat at the upper end of its working range.
• Slow bisque and glaze firings are recommended to minimize flaws like pinholing and cracking.
• Test tiles should be fired first to dial in the ideal firing schedule before committing finished pieces.
• Adding silica or alumina can help strengthen Stroke and Coat at higher temperatures.
• Firing on stilts allows gases to escape and prevents glaze sticking to kiln shelves.

With careful firing, Mayco Stroke and Coat can develop richer colors and gloss at cone 6 temperatures. However, firing too quickly or exceeding the glaze’s limit is likely to cause defects. By following the recommendations in this guide, you can achieve excellent results firing Stroke and Coat to cone 6.