Raw Materials D-L: Seattle Pottery Supply E-Catalog

Seattle Pottery Supply/Northwest Ceramic Supply, offers one of the most complete selectiions of chemicals and raw materials for the entire ceramic spectrum, including pottery, ceramics, glass and enameling. Descriptions are provided for some, but certainly not all of the chemicals on our price list. If you need something and can't find it on our lists or on our price lists, call us. Chances are we have the material or can find it for you.

Many ceramic materials are TOXIC. We at SPS feel that the safest course is to consider all materials worked with as toxic. Before you use any raw material, read up on it. Remember that combining two different items that are perfectly safe may result in an extremely toxic product. Use good common sense and be safe. A good industrial grade respirator and rubber gloves MUST be used. Do not eat or smoke with working with chemicals! Good habits of cleanliness, including frequent changes of contaminated clothing, can keep your studio a safer place.

The companies that supply us with our raw materials are the best in their fields. However, many of the materials we supply are natural products and may vary. We urge you to test each material when purchased. We can't make any warranty concerning these materials since the control of them is out of our hands. Again, test each raw material to make sure it will do what you expect before committing to a large batch.SPS is dedicated to ongoing safety research and awareness.

Raw Materials D-L
Dispersal Casting slip and glaze deflocculant. Operated the same as DARVAN-A	Dolomite CaCO₃:MgCO₃ Provides calcium and magnesium. Used as a high temperature flux.
Drystone Can be used for solid of hollow application. This plaster is a fast-casting gypsum cement that provides strong casts without the use of dryers.	Duramold Compare to No. 1 Pottery Plaster! 10% longer life, 28% higher wet compressive strength, 66% stronger dry compressive strength! Much more durable!
Epsom Salts MgSO₄ Suspending agent in glazes. Used to flocculate overdoped slips.	Feldspar K2O or Na₂ Al₂O₃:6SiO₂ A flux. Either predominantly soda or potash (see specific feldspar in price list).
Flint (See Silica)	Fluorspar CaF₂ Used as a flux. Often replaces whiting. A source of fluorine.
Frit Basically a ground glass. Renders many soluable oxides insoluable and offers a stable composition to hazardous materials. See additional list in catalog following our raw materials sections.	Gardencast A white gypsum cement that is perfect for freestanding, solid-cast, outdoor statuary, and takes paint well.
Gerstley Borate (Colemanite) Na₂O2:CaO₅:B₂O₃:16H₂O A white gypsum cement that is perfect for freestanding, solid-cast, outdoor statuary, and takes paint well.	Gerstley Borate Substitutes: Frit 439 This frit has virtually the same molecular structure and chemical properties as the original. Has no soluable material which can affect the glaze. Laguna Borate Na2O:KA₂O:CaO:MgO:Al₂O₃: SiO₂:B₂O₃:TiO₂:Fe₂O₃This is another material that has nearly the same molecular structure as the original. For suspension, add up to 2% Bentonite.
Grog Crushed, calcined clay added to clay bodies to increase structural strength.	Ilmenite FeOTiO₂ High fire glaze speckling agent.
Iron Chromate FeCrO₄ A darkening agent (dark gray and brown) in underglazes and engobes and in combination with stains in clay bodies.	Iron Oxide Fe₂O₃ Used as coloring in clay and glazes.
Iron Sulfate FeSO₄•7H₂O Water soluable form of iron used for lustrous effects.	Jordan Clay Al₂O₃2SiO₂2H₂O Replaces ball clay to achieve a stoneware look.
Kaolin Al₂O₃2SiO₂5H₂0 EPK: White semi-plastic Floria kaolin; most common in glaze making. CALCINED: Kaolin fired to remove combined water. Reduces shrinkage. 6-TILE: White, water-washed and plastic; has remarkable translucency. GROLLEG: A translucent	Kiln Wash A blend of refractory materials used to protect kiln shelves from fluid drips and runs. Simply mix to glaze consistency with water and brush onto top side of shelf.
Kryolite Na₃AlF₆ Provides sodium-alumina to glazes. A matting agent. (See Cryolite)	Lead Bisilicalate PbO₂SiO₂ Not available.
Lead Carbonate 2PbCO₃PbOH₂ Not available..	Lead Oxide, Red Pb₃O₄ Not available..
Lead Silicate 3Pb₂SiO2 Not available..	Litharge PbO Not available.
Lithium Carbonate Li₂CO₃ A glaze flux with low thermal expansion. Brightens many glazes.
CAUTION: Many ceramic materials are toxic and should be handled with care. Inhalation and ingestion should be avoided. User should be familiar with proper safety precautions before using. M.S.D.S. are available upon request.