Drying Low-Shrinkage Steel XT
Low-Shrinkage Steel XT does most of its shrinking while it is drying, not so much during the firing process. This shrinkage can cause the steel to distort significantly while it’s drying. How do we prevent it? People have come up with all kinds of potential solutions, including air-drying, or drying under heavy objects. However, because of friction between the back of the piece and the drying surface, the flat piece may crack while trying to shrink (even if you oil the surface). This can happen even if you dry it very slowly or in the air. Placing a heavy object on top of it is likely to interfere with the shrinkage and cause cracking.
The best way to dry a flat square is to watch it and flip it over once it starts curving upwards. Then flip it again when it starts curving again. By flipping it each time it curves, you allow it to curve back in the opposite direction until it is flat, while also avoiding friction with the drying surface. The process is short and safe.
Here is a short video clip demonstrating the process:
May 28th, 2013 at 9:37 am
Thanks Hadar, I love your videos!!
May 28th, 2013 at 3:24 pm
What about if you are doing a ring? Do you use some kind of holder or mold? How much does it shrink all together?
Thanks!
Julie
May 28th, 2013 at 4:30 pm
Thanks Hadar
May 29th, 2013 at 9:40 am
What type of heating plate do you use? I tried a candle warmer and it seems like it might be too hot.
May 29th, 2013 at 10:45 am
Thanks, Hadar: very helpful—as always! Two questions: how should we handle shrinkage with steel rings? And I also would love to know what warming plate you use? Thanks!
May 29th, 2013 at 12:12 pm
Julie, A ring is always made over a mold or a ring mandrel. You can find a shrinkage chart for rings on my blog.
May 29th, 2013 at 12:16 pm
Janice, candle warmer is fine. In the video what you see is a vintage food warmer.
May 29th, 2013 at 12:17 pm
Thalia, Steel rings should be made 2.5 sizes larger. My warming plate is a vintage food warmer, but candle warmer is just fine.
May 29th, 2013 at 12:51 pm
thank you Hadar! the video is excellent. you can find those food warming trays sometimes at thrift stores such as goodwill or st. vincent de paul. i found one and it works out great! i couldn’t fit very much at one time on my small candle warmer. so keep your eye out for one or have your thrift store shopping friends look for you!
May 30th, 2013 at 5:48 am
I have used a heating sheet used to put under seed sprouting trays as a dryer for my pieces. I did a series of butterfly pendants and it was great to be able to do about 20 at one time.
May 30th, 2013 at 7:51 pm
DId it sinter…I thought one would usually see smoke…?