Silver glass and humidity!!

[sublimekate]

I discovered this weekend at Di Easts gathering that many of you are already aware of the effects humidity has on silver glass, however this was quite a revelation to me.

I was chatting to Astrid and she remarked that she was getting some wonderful colours especially vivid blues from her silver glass at Di's studio, she went on to say that it must be the climate/humidity!!

When I mentioned this to some veteran beadmakers (you know who you are  ) they seemed fully aware of the effect of humidity on silver glass, most of them exclaiming that they had much better results with it in the Autumn/Winter and worst results in the summer. This really rang true to me when I thought about it.

I've been pondering on this ever since and if any one out there could enlighten me with the science I'd be very interested, why this should be the case is really bugging the hell out of me       

I was also thinking about silver glass in general, it seems that if this is yet another variable along with kiln temp, flame mix/size, how long to reduce, how long to strike yada yada yada in whole silver glass sphere, it's not so suprising that we all get such different results from it, is it 

Kate xx

[Trudi]

I recall reading a while back on LE a discussion about different results from Gaffer Chalcedonay at different times of the year ....... but I can't help with the reasons.!!

And each time you turn your torch on or adjust the gas or oxy you're never going to get the exact same mix each time. And when making a set you can spend longer on one bead than another.

There really are so many variables out there ....

But I would like to know the reason too!

[sublimekate]

mmmm...sort of made me think that maybe my damp old shed isn't so bad after all 

[Trudi]

LOL!!! You should see mine!!

[Curlybird]

So can  blame my lack of success with silver glass on my dry warm utility room

[Trudi]

To quote Lloyd Cole - You need to suffer for your art!

[Margram]

Back in the day when I did a lot of raku pottery, we found that the gas kiln I used had better results if it was raining! I wonder if it is to do with how much oxygen is available in the air when it is humid...somebody who knows may be along soon

[garishglobes]

I was wondering if it was to do with a micro-atmosphere created by the water in the air, or whether rain means that there is more of one element present in the air around us than when the sun shines.

Should be good in Cumbria, either way!

[Trudi]

Should be good in Cumbria, either way!

LOL

[Veebee]

Hmm, trying to think logically and off the back of Emma's post.... If there is more water in the air, there is more oxygen available, plus hydrogen, both highly combustible, which may make the flame a bit hotter? Or, perhaps some other chemical process occurs which forces some of the carbon out of the propane in the flame, creating a similar reduction atmosphere in the flame as is created by adding carbon to the kiln to keep the reduction shine during annealing.....?

[Hotglass28]

I'm guessing that when it is warm the air hold particles longer in the air, when it is cold the particle drop faster?  Maybe it's the fuming effect when the particles hang around for longer that give different results.

Sounds a bit weird maybe, but it's like swimming in salt water I think. It's harder because the water has salt particles in it and slows you down. Maybe that's kinda whats happening to the glass? Dunno

I'm pretty sure our air at normal altitude for us humans keep a steady 21%  and that shifts in oxygen content would not be the case. Unless you were lamping on the north pole or someit.

Diving course taught me something eh.

Spooky science, I'm interested.

[Blue Box Studio]

I recall reading a while back on LE a discussion about different results from Gaffer Chalcedonay at different times of the year ....... but I can't help with the reasons.!!

Perhaps that's what they mean when they say laying something back for a rainy day - think I'll do that with my Chalcedonay, clearly autumn isn't it's season.

[Veebee]

Sounds a bit weird maybe, but it's like swimming in salt water I think. It's harder because the water has salt particles in it and slows you down. Maybe that's kinda whats happening to the glass? Dunno

I'm pretty sure our air at normal altitude for us humans keep a steady 21%  and that shifts in oxygen content would not be the case. Unless you were lamping on the north pole or someit.

Ah, yes, but.. the extra oxygen in this case is trapped in the water causing the humidity. This would only be released within the flame as combustion forces the molecules apart... causing the unique microclimate in the flame that Emma mentioned....?

[turnedlight]

So maybe it's worth boiling a kettle on the workbench whilst making the beads..

[caraj316]

So maybe it's worth boiling a kettle on the workbench whilst making the beads..

Actually this IS what I was thinking more or less while I was reading this thread.

Or I should install a shower in the corner of my workshop!