Angela…Enameling on copper electroplate is one thing and
enameling on copper plated brass is another. It is quite easy to
enamel on an item that is completely electroformed of copper. The
problem is the alloys in the brass, mainly the zinc. The copper
plating does not really create enough of a barrier to be effective.
The zinc has a much lower melting temperature than required to fuse
the enamels. It will vaporize, causing bubbles in the enamel and can
discolor the enamel. You can see the bubbles in historical enamel
pieces [before they realized the problem]. You can also see the
bubbles in current low priced items when brass is used to keep the
price down.
Historically “guilders” metal has been used for enameling with some
transparent colors that react strongly [color change] on pure
copper. The guilders metals has a very small copper/zinc
ratio…95/5 verses the almost 20% zinc that is found in most brass
alloys. Guilders metal is very hard to find now days. Thompson
Enamel still does carry sheet stock though.
I once did an experiment on silicone bronze. After applying enamel I
was surprised with how clean the metal was after pulling it from the
kiln. I was surprised again when all the enamel fell cleanly away in
one piece.
Karla Maxwell…from not so sunny S. California
