fusing glass to copper
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- This topic has 7 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 9 years, 3 months ago by
terrapaxstudio.
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- February 3, 2011 at 9:40 pm #9558
clairepg
ParticipantHope this hasn’t been covered before, but I’m a new member. I know you can use copper as an inclusion in fused glass. BUT what I am asking is if you can take a piece of already fused glass and fuse it onto a copper back sheet.
February 4, 2011 at 3:38 am #11880bookie13
ParticipantEasy answer is no.
Far different COEs
Barry Kaiser
Web Site http://www.kaiserglass.com
Glass Classes: http://www.Kaiserglass.com/classes.html
February 4, 2011 at 9:27 am #11881Stephen Richard
ParticipantBut it can be done. The copper needs to be thin. It works best if you clean the copper, and then coat it with borax. It has to be done with a long soak to ensure the bottom of the glass is as soft as the top. You have to protect your shelf from contamination by the copper sheet. Not all attempts will be successful, showing that this is on the edge of acceptability.
It is easier simply to glue the copper to the back.
Stephen Richard
blogs at: http://www.verrier-glass.blogspot.com/ and http://www.glasstips.blogspot.com/
February 28, 2011 at 4:15 pm #11882beaderydestash
ParticipantI would think that you can to a degree-if you can enamel (which is glass) copper , then you should be able to fuse a thin glass layer to copper.
I have not tried, I have ony put copper into my glass.
http://www.beaderydestash.etsy.com
http://www.alexandersdesigns.com
February 28, 2011 at 4:41 pm #11883bookie13
ParticipantIf you look at an enamel catalogue you will find different enamels for different substrates. The enamel for glass is dfferent than the enamel for copper. This difference is due to the significant differences in COEs. You may get away with fusing very small pieces of copper, but not with sheets.
I agree with Stephen, glue it.
Barry Kaiser
Web Site http://www.kaiserglass.com
Glass Classes: http://www.Kaiserglass.com/classes.html
November 3, 2011 at 8:27 am #11884katkramer
ParticipantEven though you can fuse glass to copper by enameling…you usually must put a counter-enamel layer on the back side of the copper to counteract the forces of the enamel on the front. Additionally, enamel is a very thin layer…if you were fusing a 1/8″ piece of glass (but I’m guessing it would be thicker than that!) to copper, it would most likely just break off once it cools because it is so thick and because of the expansion and contraction issues. You’ll also have issues with firescale on the backside of the copper.
I agree that the glue-on solution is probably the best…
January 9, 2012 at 12:55 am #11885mmtreska
ParticipantJanuary 10, 2012 at 2:32 am #11886terrapaxstudio
ParticipantI agree with everyone who commented. However, it is marginally possible to consider backing your already fused glass piece with copper FOIL sheet (very thin, like the foil used in stained glass construction, but in sheet form), and only taking it to a very low tack fuse …. around 1300 degrees. I know the foil is available in sheets with the adhesive on it, but not sure where to get it without adhesive. You could try disolving the adhesive and cleaning it well before the attempt.
Good luck.
Cynthia Ann Swan, Terra Pax Studio, Los Angeles, CA
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