How To
How To Join Exposed Surfaces with Clay Bond
Simply follow these directions and create a clean, effective bond.
Please Note: Before firing, the joint will not be strong; handle pieces carefully. After firing, the joint strength will be strong enough for all jewelry applications.
You will need:
• Bottle of Clay-Bond Plus™
• Flat paint brush with short, stiff bristles
• Water (distilled water is not necessary)
• Small glass, plastic, or ceramic dish for mixing
• Abrasive paper or Scotch Brite™ pad
• Firing tin with activated carbon
• Tongs (to handle the firing tin when hot)
• Polishing supplies (to provide final finish)
Step 1
Ensure that the two surfaces to be joined are flat and mate well at the region to be joined. Clean the surfaces with sandpaper so that bright metal shows.
Step 2
Mix a small amount of Clay-Bond with water on a glass, plastic or ceramic surface with a brush that has short stiff bristles. (Save the unused paste; it can be remixed with water and used again.)
Step 3
Apply one coat of Clay-Bond to each surface. This first coat should be just thick enough to be opaque, applied smoothly and evenly.
Step 4
Dry the articles for 15 minutes in warm air, such as with a hair dryer on in a vegetable dehydrator set at about 60°C (140°F).
Step 5
Apply a second coat to each surface. This layer should be a bit thicker than the first layer. Apply this coating quickly enough that the first layer does not soften and come off. If it does, reapply both coats.
Step 6
Press the pieces together while the second layer is still moist. Press firmly but do not press too hard or too much paste will be squeezed out of the joint.
Step 7
Remove all visible Clay-Bond from around the edges of the joint with a clean, dry brush that has short stiff bristles. This step is necessary to prevent the Clay-Bond alloy from showing around the edges of the joint after firing.
Step 8
Dry the joined pieces in warm air as directed in step #4.
Step 9
To ensure complete drying, dry the pieces on a coffee warmer for 30 minutes. Insufficient drying will result in a weak joint.
Step 10
Carefully (to avoid inadvertently separating the pieces) place the joined pieces in the firing container. The container should be about one-half full of activated carbon before the pieces are inserted, then filled to the top with activated carbon after the pieces are inserted. Place the lid on the container.
Step 11
Fire the joined articles at 450°C (842°F) for 10 minutes. Begin timing when the kiln or oven temperature has reached 290°C (554°F). Please Note: Different kiln styles will fire Clay-Bond differently; therefore, the firing temperature and time listed here will work fine for some kiln styles but not for others. In particular, kilns with the heating elements completely enclosed in the walls may require extending the firing time and/or raising the temperature. Also, large pieces of jewelry will require longer firing times to reach the desired temperature inside the firing container. We highly recommend that experiments be done with test coupons to determine the optimum firing time and temperature for your particular kiln.
Step 12
Remove the firing container from the kiln and allow it to cool.
Step 13
Remove the pieces and then apply whatever final finish is desired.
Step 14
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS:
Clay-Bond™ contains fine silver powder and a chemical fluxing agent that can irritate the eyes. Take precautions to avoid getting it into the eyes. Wash your hands after use, and do not touch your eyes while handling Clay-Bond Plus.
• If it does get into the eyes, flush them thoroughly with water for at least 15 minutes and contact a physician for further treatment.
• Although Clay-Bond Plus is not highly toxic, avoid ingesting it. If ingested, drink a glass of milk and contact a physician immediately.
How To Join Flat Surfaces with Clay Bond Plus
Create permanent connections between fired metal clay pieces as well as between sterling, fine silver and Argentium® findings without having to use solder and a torch. Simply follow these directions and create a clean, effective bond.
Please Note: Before firing, the joint will not be strong; handle pieces carefully. After firing, the joint strength will be strong enough for all jewelry applications.
You will need:
• Bottle of Clay-Bond Plus™
• Flat paint brush with short, stiff bristles
• Water (distilled water is not necessary)
• Small glass, plastic, or ceramic dish for mixing
• Abrasive paper or Scotch Brite™ pad
• Firing tin with activated carbon
• Tongs (to handle the firing tin when hot)
• Polishing supplies (to provide final finish)
Step 1
Ensure that the two surfaces to be joined are flat and mate well at the region to be joined. Clean the surfaces with sandpaper so that bright metal shows.
Step 2
Mix a small amount of Clay-Bond Plus with water on a glass, plastic or porcelain surface with a brush that has short stiff bristles. (Save the unused paste; it can be remixed with water and used again.)
Step 3
Apply one coat of Clay-Bond Plus to each surface. This first coat should be just thick enough to be opaque, applied smoothly and evenly.
Step 4
Dry the articles for 30 minutes in warm air such as with a hair dryer on in a vegetable dehydrator set at about 60°C (140°F).
Step 5
Apply a second coat to each surface. This layer should be a bit thicker than the first layer. Apply this coating quickly enough that the first layer does not soften and come off. If it does, reapply both coats.
Step 6
Press the pieces together while the second layer is still moist. Press firmly but do not press too hard or too much paste will be squeezed out of the joint.
Step 7
Remove all visible Clay-Bond Plus from around the edges of the joint with a clean, dry brush that has short stiff bristles. This step is necessary to prevent the Clay-Bond alloy from showing around the edges of the joint after firing.
Step 8
Dry the joined pieces in warm air as directed in step #4. To ensure complete drying, dry the pieces on a coffee warmer for 30 minutes. Insufficient drying will result in a weak joint.
Step 9
Carefully (to avoid inadvertently separating the pieces) place the joined pieces in the firing container. The container should be about one-half full of activated carbon before the pieces are inserted, then filled to the top with activated carbon after the pieces are inserted. Place the lid on the container.
Step 10
Fire the joined articles at 350°C (662°F) for 15 minutes. Begin timing when the kiln or oven temperature has reached 290°C (554°F). Please Note: Different kiln styles will fire Clay-Bond Plus differently; therefore, the firing temperature and time listed here will work fine for some kiln styles but not for others. In particular, kilns with the heating elements completely enclosed in the walls may require extending the firing time and/or raising the temperature. Also, large pieces of jewelry will require longer firing times to reach the desired temperature inside the firing container. We highly recommend that experiments be done with test coupons to determine the optimum firing time and temperature for your particular kiln.
Step 11
Remove the firing container from the kiln and allow it to cool.
Step 12
Remove the pieces and then apply whatever final finish is desired.
Step 13
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS:
Clay-Bond Plus contains fine silver powder and a chemical fluxing agent that can irritate the eyes. Take precautions to avoid getting it into the eyes. Wash your hands after use, and do not touch your eyes while handling Clay-Bond Plus.
• If it does get into the eyes, flush them thoroughly with water for at least 15 minutes and contact a physician for further treatment.
• Although Clay-Bond Plus is not highly toxic, avoid ingesting it. If ingested, drink a glass of milk and contact a physician immediately.
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