Hi,
Was wondering if anyone has advice on enamel on copper. Annealing
temp for copper and firing temp for enamel are similar, so if I need
to tumble the piece after enamelling to work harden the copper
(enamel is an accent, n ot covering the surface), is there any
danger to the enamel? And if so, is there a way to protect it, and/or
any other way I’m not familiar with ? Any help much appreciated!
The enamel might be broken and damaged. Unless you are working with
very thin copper, you shouldn’t have to worry about work hardening
it.
Kay Allen
Dragonsfyre Workshop
I regularly tumble my enameled pieces. If there is bare metal in
them- as in plique-a-jour- it gives it a nice finish without
affecting the enamel.
But- I am generally not using enamel just in accents. I’d happen
after it’s been purchased!
I’m not really convinced the tumbler does much to work-harden the
bulk of the metal anyway- it’s a pretty gentle process. It does
work-harden the immediate surfaces, though, as well as giving them a
decent shine.
-Amanda Fisher
Since enamel is glass, tumbling would damage it. The enamel itself is
rigid & strong, so I wouldn’t worry about the metal not
beingannealed. Enameling should be done on a piece that is designed
not to flex.
Mary
Hi Linda Ricci,
I have tumbled copper champleve enamel on very thick pieces of about
12 g, about 3/4" x 1" long and the opaque enamels did not show any
damage. This will burnish the metal, but I have heard that the
hardening effects are minimal. Test your results may vary. Several
items worked, no failures due to tumbling.
Terry