Like Opaline sheet glass, Opaline frit is a unique translucent style that transmits cool tones or warm fiery effects depending on how the light hits it.
Challenge
Opaline frit tends to strike/go opaque with extensive heatwork.
Solution
Kilnforming tests show that Opaline frit begins to develop color at 1400°F (760°C) and remains relatively stable through three full fuse firings to 1480°F (804°C). It can retain its unique characteristics in castings fired to 1480° F 804° C) and held for 10–60 minutes.
Recommended Uses
- Full fuse “Painting with Glass” techniques.
- Open-faced kilncasting, where cold glass is packed inside the mold and minimal heatwork is required. Size may be restricted by length of time required at process temperatures for glass to completely flow to fill mold details.
- Making frit balls.
- Creating fading color fields.
Situations to Avoid
Where Opaline frit will become opaque and lose its fiery quality.
- Any method that requires extensive heatwork, such as kilncasting into a closed mold, where glass is heated to high temperatures to flow from a flowerpot or crucible.
- Firing in underpowered or over-insulated kilns, which may result in glass undergoing too much heatwork.
