What does cone numbers mean in ceramics?

The Pottery Cone Range The higher up the chart the higher the firing temperature. There are some cones above the 14 mark. For example, Orton cones go up to 42, but most potters stay within the 022-14 range. Cones between 13 and 42 are normally used for industrial products.

What is the difference between cone 6 and cone 06?

Think of the 0 in a cone number as meaning “minus”. So 06 is much cooler than 6 because it is like a “minus 6”.

Which is hotter cone 04 or cone 06?

Cone 6 is about 400 degrees hotter than cone 06! Therefore cone 05 is cooler than cone 04 whereas cone 5 is hotter than cone 4. For the most reliable results, it is best to match your clay with your glazes. If your clay’s recommended firing temperature is cone 06-04, then you should use low-fire glazes.

What kind of clay is cone 6?

Earthenware Clay
Low Fire Earthenware Clay (Cone 06-04) Low fire clay tends to be either reddish or white in color. These clays tend to be more porous, making them ideal clays for planters.

What does cone 6 firing mean?

Potters operating at stoneware temperatures traditionally fire pottery to cone 9 (2300°F), but many are now discovering a lower stoneware firing temperature at cone 6 (2232°F). One characteristic of such high-temperature firings is the well-developed interface where the clay body ends and the glaze layer begins.

How do I know what cone to fire to?

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER IS, DO NOT OVER-FIRE! You should never fire a clay above it’s maximum Cone rating. If it says Cone 6, you can fire it to any temperature UP TO Cone 6, but NOT over. (This is unlike glaze which must be fired to the exact specified temperature range.)

How long should a Cone 6 Firing take?

Program the kiln to run a Cone 06, Medium Speed, ConeFire Program. This will take about 8 Hours to fire to temperature and another 12 hours to cool (depends on size of kiln).

What happens if you fire Cone 06 glaze to Cone 6?

If you fire a low fire clay to cone 6, the pottery can either become very dense and brittle. This pottery might look ok when you take it out of the kiln. But it is often not usable, because the slightest tap or bump will shatter it. Alternatively, if you over fire clay, it can bloat, warp and even melt in the kiln.

What cone Do you bisque fire cone 6 clay?

For example, most commercial glazes recommend bisque firing to Cone 04, and glaze firing to Cone 06 (which is cooler). The reason for this is to make sure all the carbon and other materials in the clay burn out during the bisque firing.

What cone do you fire stoneware?

Potters operating at stoneware temperatures traditionally fire pottery to cone 9 (2300°F), but many are now discovering a lower stoneware firing temperature at cone 6 (2232°F).

Can you fire Cone 5 clay Cone 6?

You cannot fire a clay higher than its maximum rated Cone, or it will melt and become deformed. For dinnerware it is best to use a Cone 5-6 clay if you fire to Cone 5-6. Remember, you have to fire your glaze to the Cone that is specified for that glaze, regardless what clay you use.

Can you fire cone 10 clay cone 6?

The closer you get to the maximum rated cone, the denser and stronger your clay will be. You cannot fire a clay higher than its maximum-rated Cone, or it will melt. Cone 10 clay can be used at low fire (Cone 04-06 or at Cone 6), but to reach its maximum strength it should be fired to Cone 10.