Glass clay. Throwing glass on the pottery wheel

Abstract

This project desired to explore the potential of treating glass alike to clay, specifically through the technique of throwing glass on the pottery wheel, alongside an investigation into the sustainability aspects of glass clay. It represented an experimental set out, as similar concepts regarding the manipulation of glass were limited, extracted primarily from existing knowledge of the material and pertinent techniques. Within this project, various trials were conducted to determine the optimal composition for the glass clay body, surrounding diverse experiments in colouring techniques and kiln programming, each relent distinctive outcomes. Among the tested formulations, the most promising combination was 50% wallpaper glue and 50% CMC, combined with 80% recycled glass and a requisite amount of water. This formulation resembled the tactile qualities of clay and facilitated comfort of manipulation on the pottery wheel. Coloration experiments involved the utilization of oxides, pigments, and coloured glass, with the latter proving to be the most sustainable and recyclable option. Kiln programming played a pivotal role in determining the final characteristics of the pieces, with variations in temperature and duration influencing the degree of melting and shaping. Nonetheless, it was observed that the melting behaviour differed among colours, suggesting the need for further refinement and experimentation in this regard. The sustainability of glass clay was validated through the use of recycled glass as the base material, augmented by the incorporation of coloured glass, which posed no barrier to the recycling process. The addition of glue to the mixture proved inconsequential, as the combustion of the adhesive during the firing process resulted in a composition that was entirely glass. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the feasibility of working with glass on the pottery wheel, even though with certain limitations in terms of achievable shapes. While significant progress had been made, further exploration was warranted, particularly in optimizing kiln programming for different colour compositions, where variations in melting points necessitated tailored approaches.