Wiseman Ceramics

When I began experimenting with crystallines in 1998, the most common frits listed in recipes were Ferro’s 3110/4110 and Pemco’s 283. GF-106 (an equivalent for Pemco 283) was manufactured by the company Glass Coatings & Concepts, until about 2005.
Crystalline artist Kris Friedrich had contracted GC&C to make more of the GF-106, as he was using a base glaze that included it. This base was originally developed by the late Professor Herbert Sanders, and listed in his book “Glazes for Special Effects” (p.30).

Sanders Crystalline Glaze #1:
Pemco 283: 68.42
Silica: 7.45
Zinc: 24.13

Other crystalline artists were aware of GF-106, as well as the Sander’s recipe. Ginny Conrow listed an altered version in John Britt’s “Complete Guide to High Fire Glazes“.
After the separate presentations by Ginny Conrow, Diane Creber, Fara Shimbo, and Kris Friedrich at LatticeStructures™ (2005), many of the attendees were eager to try it. Ironically, due to the poor sales on the GF-106 prior to this, GC&C had no interest in making more.

Several months after LatticeStructures, I was helping Kris Friedrich get ready for hosting the Peter Ilsley Workshop (May 2006). During those preparations, Ilsley and I touched on an favorite frit of his and Derek Clarkson’s, Degussa’s 90208m. This frit, like Pemco 283, had been out of production for years.
Looking at the formula listed in Ilsley’s book, “Macro-Crystalline Glazes”, there was no denying that the 90208m was a perfectly simple Sodium Alumina Silicate, with a great potential for use in crystalline glazes.

Having developed a good relationship with Laguna Clay Company, I discussed the issue with General Manager, Jim Kassebaum, and the Clay Manager, Jon Pacini. Jon had participated in LatticeStructures, and although I had called concerning the Degussa 90208m, it was a pleasant surprise to find that he had already sought out a replacement for the GF-106.
By contacting Nath Viswanath at Fusion Ceramics, it was agreed that a sample of what is currently the substitute for GF-106 and Pemco 283, Fusion’s F413, would be made for Laguna. As Jon was planning to attend the Ilsley event, he said that he would bring the F413, so that side-by-side comparisons could be fired with what remained of the GF-106 and Pemco 283.

Pemco 283 Frit:
Na2O - 16.60%
CaO - 0.30%
MgO - 0.70%
Al2O3 - 5.90%
SiO2 - 76.50%

Fusion F413 Frit:
Na2O - 16.99%
MgO - 0.77%
Al2O3 - 3.34%
SiO2 - 78.90%

This conversation was made even better when Jon referred me to Fusion Ceramics on the matter of the Degussa frit.

At this point, Kris Friedrich was focused on obtaining a good matte crystalline base for the workshop (Ilsley would suggest the Mondre & Manz frit 4067, and the base glaze developed by Peter Fröhlich). But it wasn’t long before Kris realized the potential of the Degussa substitute as well, and contracted Fusion to make a sample of what became the Fusion F644, just in time for the workshop.
Tests came out extraordinary, and the F644 is currently still a favorite flux of mine.

Degussa 90208m Frit:
Na2O - 29.00%
Al2O3 - 9.5%
SiO2 - 62.00%

Fusion F644 Frit:
Na2O - 28.6%
Al2O3 - 9.6%
SiO2 - 61.5%

As a result of the interest developed within the last few years, the excellent frits F644 and F413 are still currently available from Fusion Ceramics.

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Substitutions at a glance:
(Those listed in green are currently available)

Ferro 3110 & 4110 = Fusion F75

Pemco 283 = GF106 = Fusion F413

Degussa 90208m = Fusion F644

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