Mixed Media Jewelry
Designer Showcase
Lampwork Gallery
About the Artists
About the Jewelry
About the Studio
About Lampwork
About Chainmaille
Artist Statement
News & Events
Policies and Conditions
Free Beadwork Patterns
What is Annealing?
|
What is Annealing?
What does “annealing” mean?
“What is annealing?” is a question that I’ve been asked many times. Annealing is the process that takes place within a kiln, during a soak cycle. During this process, the temperature is slowly reduced so that the “stress” on the molecular level is removed the beads. Since I normally use either 104 COE or 96 COE glass, my kiln is pre-heated to 960 degrees during the time I’m working at the torch. The beads are then directly placed into the kiln and held there until the last bead is made. After the last bead is made, I program the kiln to stay at 960 degrees for one hour. Unless I have made huge beads, then I will add time to that section of the cycle. The kiln has been pre-programmed to slowly ramp down in temperate. When the temperate reaches 850 degrees, the kiln will hold that temperate so that the beads can stabilize again. At this phase of the process, the extra little gases that can be trapped in the glass are stabilized. Without the annealing process taking place, there is a good chance that lampwork beads will later develop cracks and stress fractures. Over time, they can split or crack. It is the annealing process that keeps the glass bead stable and durable for generations. |
