What Is Metal Clay Made Of

We ve created firing kits to save you time in selecting the tools you will need for firing the type of metal clay you want to work with.

What is metal clay made of.

Make your own bronze and copper metal clay video tutorial this video has the instructions on how to mix your own copper or bronze metal clay from ingredients that are available online. Between one half and two thirds of the world s population in both traditional societies as well as developed countries still live or work in buildings made with clay often baked into brick as an. Read on to learn more about this versatile medium. Do not use metal lids as the clay may adsorb some of the metal s properties over time.

It s an organic ingredient used in food additives and is non allergic non toxic and perfectly safe to work with. Methyl cellulose may sound like a nasty chemical but it s actually made from the cell walls of green plants. Originating in japan in 1990 metal clay can be shaped just like any soft clay by hand or using molds after drying the clay can be fired in a variety of ways such as in a kiln with a. Metal adventures bill struve from metal adventures was the first person to develop bronze and copper clays which come as ready mixed lumps of clay and have the brand name bronzclay and copprclay.

Copper clay can be torch or kiln fired. Metal clay is a crafting medium consisting of very small particles of metal such as silver gold bronze or copper mixed with an organic binder and water for use in making jewelry beads and small sculptures. It s an organic ingredient used in food additives and is non allergic non toxic and perfectly safe to work with. Metal clay is made from powdered metal mixed with water and a substance called methyl cellulose.

Most kilns as long as they can reach this temperature can be used for metal clay glass fusing bead annealing lost wax burn out and enameling. Other metal clay types such as bronze and silver alloy clays require a carbon firing. The term base metal clay refers to any clay that is not a precious metal so bronze copper steel and iron metal clay fall into this category. Fine silver or gold ground extremely small and suspended in a binder to create clay.

Copper clay is the exception. The cost per 100 grams is about 1 4th the cost of commercial pre mixed metal clay. For both novice and experienced jewelry makers working with this material has many advantages. Some metal clay will require that you fire it in a kiln because it must be fired up to 1600 f 871 c in order for the clay to turn into metal.

Clay as the defining ingredient of loam is one of the oldest building materials on earth among other ancient naturally occurring geologic materials such as stone and organic materials like wood.