[Jewelry making - Article 00491] - Re: [Orchid] Substitute for vermiculite and alumina hydrate?

[MJOAT]

========[ Invite a Friend - http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm  ]========

    The various forms of silica sand can have differing melting temps
    for the component items making it up. Some will melt and stick to
    the things in the kiln. Including the heating elements. Possibly
    causing problems in the future heating cycles of the kiln, causing a
    burn out at that site of clumping or sticking and melting. 

    The reactivity may not be of a chemical nature that you might be
    thinking of. But a physical one. 

    After 33 years in the public education field and being called to the
    art rooms to remove/repair or save the brick work, heating elements
    in their kilns. I have seen a lot of stuff that was added to the mix
    in the name of art. Whether it was trying for a texture on the
    outside or using it inside to prevent the afore mentioned slumping. 

    Some people are art teachers and some are just teachers in the art
    dept. You can run a search for silicosis on the archive during the
    last year it has come up a number of times in regards tosand or
    media blasting. Or on the net, silicosis, sand box cough,miners cough
    etc. 

    They really don't have a perfect answer as to the amount or duration
    of exposure to the silica dust that causes harm. Almost every study
    wants to be boss. So keeping all exposure to a minimum would be
    best. Most of the play sand isn't pure silica sand any longer.
    Blasting sand is pure silica and when used outside people in the
    work area are using positive displacement masks. 

    On the subject of masks of the disposalable type. If you are using
    them for a hazardous material. When you get done, throw the mask
    out. Taking the mask off and hanging it up or placing it on the
    bench will only transfer the material inside the mask closest to
    your face for the next time. 

Hope this covers some of the possible answers to your question
glen
____________________________________________________________________
T h e   O r c h i d   L i s t
Open Electronic Forum for Jewelry Manufacturing Methods and Procedures
____________________________________________________________________
Orchid FAQ:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/faq.htm
Orchid Archives:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/archive
Orchid Galleries:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/gallery.htm
Invite a Friend:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm
____________________________________________________________________
Tips From The Jeweler's Bench - Article Archive
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/tip_sear.htm
The Jeweler's Selected Bibliography List
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/jewelry-books
Buy Orchid Jewelry:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/shop
____________________________________________________________________
-Unsubscribe:
-Email: orchid-request AT ganoksin.com Body=unsubscribe subject=blank
____________________________________________________________________