Fused Glass is the process of melting glass together in a glass kiln at 1450*F. Fusing
also includes a technique called slumping (1265*F) which entails "softening" the
glass over treated ceramic, stainless steel or artist created molds.
There are currently three different co-efficiencies commonly used for for fused glass
artwork; 90, 96, and 104. These three different types are extremely important to
the fused glass process because it informs the artist the rate at which the glass
itself expands and contracts when heated and cooled. The glass types are only compatible
with themselves; 90 can only be used with 90 and so on. I use 96 co-efficiency glass,
which offers a wide variety of colors and textures for multiple uses.
Beyond co-efficiencies, there is another type of glass that is available for use;
dichroic glass. Dichroic glass is currently available in 90 & 96 co-efficiencies,
this results in hundreds of different varieties of dichroic glass available for use.
Dichroic glass contains multiple micro-layers of metal oxides which give the glass
dichroic optical properties. Dichroic glass was originally developed by NASA and
its contractors for use in satellite optics and spacesuit visors.
All fusing is done in a glass kiln, not a ceramic kiln as most would assume. The
primary difference between a glass kiln and a ceramic kiln is the heating elements.
In a ceramic kiln the heating elements are only located on the sides, which leads
to uneven heating, perfect for ceramics but highly detrimental to glass. A glass
kiln includes the standard side elements, but also has heating coils on the top or
lid of the kiln. The heat coming from multiple areas allows the glass to heat at
a very even rate which is the main reason why this art form in possible.
