Seattle Pottery Supply E-Catalog: Raw Materials S-Z

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 S-Z
Sand SiO₂ Used to replace grog in clay bodies.	Seattle Slip The definitive replacement for True Albany Slip Clay. Melts around 2260º F. Use in bodies and glazes or as a glaze itself.
Setit A A colloidal glaze suspending agent.	Silica (Flint) SiO₂ Increases thermal expansion in clays, reduces thermal expansion in glazes.
Silicon Carbide SiC Used primaril in glazes a local reduction agent.	Silver Nitrate AgNO₃ Used as a coloring agent in stained glass.
Sodium Bicarbonate Na₂HCO₂ Used in Egyptian Paste and cobalt sulfate stains. Water soluable.	Sodium Nitrate NaNO₃ Used as a soda feldspar. Helps to reduce crazing when added to clay bodies.
Sodium Silicate Na₂SiO₂ The primary deflocculant for casting slips. Diluted for normal use.	Spodumene Li₂O:Al₂O₃4SiO₂ Reduces thermal expansion in clay bodies and helps to develop copper blue tones.
Superpax ZrSiO₂ The most popular zircon opacifier. Helps to reduce crazing.	Stannous Cloride SnCl₂ Used in the fuming process in Raku.
Strontium Carbonate SrCO₃ A low solubility glaze flux with a long firing range. Reduces crazing.	Stains Colorants for glazes and clays. A separate price sheet follows the Raw Materials section.
Talc 3MgO:4SiO₂:H₂O Used as a flux in low temperature clay bodies. Adds opacity to glazes.	Tin Oxide SnO₂ A strong and effective glaze pacifier. Stays in suspension in the glazes.
Titanium Dioxide TiO₂ An opacifier. Causes a slight matting. May add a cream color to some glazes.	Tricalcium Phosphate Ca₃(PO₄)₂ The primary ingredient in bone china. Used as a flux and opacifier in glazes.
Ultrox A strong zirconium glaze opacifier. Formulated especially for glazes.	Umber, Burnt Darkens clay bodies. Also used as a surface decorating agent.
Vanadium Pentoxide V₂O₅ A glaze colorant producing yellows and other colors used in combination with other materials.	Vee Gum A suspending agent in glazes. Also used to increase plasticity in clays.
Volcanic Ash (Pumice) SiO₂Al₂O₃ Used in glazes and clays as a flux. Generally similar to feldspar.	Volcanic Ash, Mt. Saint Helens Volcanic ash from the Mount Saint Helens eruption. Sized and screened.
Wax Resist Used to keep glaze from areas on bisque. At SPS you get the original MobilCer A wax resist.	Whiting (See Calcium Carbonate)
Wollastonite CaSiO₂ Reduces shrinkage in clays and glazes. A source of calcium. Can replace silica and whiting.	Zinc Oxide (calcined) ZnO High temperature glaze flux. Gives some opacity. Extends the maturation point.
Zinc Zirconium Silicate ZnZrSiO₃ Used in glazes as an opacifier and as a brightener.	Zircopax SrSiO₄ Used in glazes when a semi-opaque nature is desired. Lessens crazing in glazes.
Zirconium Silicate ZrSiO₂ Used as a glaze colorant and stabilizing agent.
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.