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FUSING and HOT GLASS

FUSING & HOT GLASS
About System 96®
COMPATABILITY TESTING

FUSING & HOT GLASS - BECAUSE SOME LIKE IT HOT!
We first released tested compatible fusible glasses in 1989. Since then, specialty COE and tested compatible fusing glass has become a major product category for us. We currently produce glass in 2 different COE points, 90 and 96. The 90 COE product line is called Fusion FX with 103 sheet products, 686 frit products, 16 Noodle and Stringer products, a clear casting billet and glass blowing cullet for 90 COE users. Our 96 COE product line is called System 96® with 75 sheet products, 1110 frit products, 47 rod products, 10 casting billet products, 42 Noodle and Stringer products and blowing cullet for most furnace glass studios. In addition, all textures in both COE points are available with dichroic coatings from better suppliers worldwide.

Every sheet of transparent fusible we make is examined in polarized light to reveal any stressed areas or contaminants - the most rigorous examination in the industry! Our goal is that every square foot of Uroboros fusible be stress free to minimize problems in your studio.

About System 96
Our 96 COE point products are part of a cooperative effort with our friends at Spectrum Glass of Woodinville, Washington. Both of us have produced stained glass sheets at this expansion point since the early '90s. In 1999 we committed to mutually launch a broad-purpose product line. System 96 is the result, reflecting the strengths of both companies. Uroboros makes the specialty colored, textured or iridized sheets and Frit, Noodles and Stringer. Spectrum produces a vibrant color palette of super-smooth, single-color sheets at affordable prices. All products in this line produced by both companies are labeled with this distinctive red and black logo.

THE UROBOROS COMPATABILITY TESTING PROGRAM
We are serious about quality in our tested compatible products! Our tested compatible glasses undergo the most rigorous testing in the industry. During production, every square foot of every sheet of our tested compatible glass is examined in polarized light to insure that it is free of stress or contamination. After this visual test, every tenth sheet in each production run is fuse tested against our Master Standards test glass. Only sheets that test within 1/2 COE point of the target expansion (90.0 or 96.0) earn one of Uroboros' highly respected tested compatible labels; yellow for 90 COE products, and the red and black System 96 triangle for 96 COE products.

How do we perform our fuse tests? We use and recommend the Reynolds Interface Compatibility Test (RICT). This edge-to-edge seal test provides the most accurate test results in the industry. It is described in detail in Gil Reynolds' The Fused Glass Handbook. Gil's highly useful book is available from most suppliers or from Fusion Headquarters, located in Newberg, Oregon.

UROBOROS IRIDESCENT OR DICHROIC COATINGS

Art Glass
Our iridescent coatings are formulated and applied during the production process using methods similar to those used in Tiffany's day. The rich swirling colors mimic the look of ancient glasses, whose iridescence is caused by exposure to the elements over the centuries. Like ancient iridescence, our Irids vary in rainbow patterns across the sheet surface, and are especially vivid on textured surfaces.

Fusing or Blowing
Our iridescent coatings will withstand full fuse firings. They do not typically stand up to the heat of glassblowing without extra care to keep the iridescent layer from getting too hot. Dichroic coatings, applied by companies who specialize in the process, are brighter and shinier than iridescent coatings. They also have distinct pure colors when viewed with transmitted light; hence the term Dichroic. The reflected color is different than the transmitted color. Dichroic coatings from more reputable sources are able to survive the higher temperatures of glassblowing, provided some care is used to protect the coating from exposure to direct flame. Even small pieces of Dichroic in a blown form will sparkle in the finished work!

Within fusing temperature ranges, hotter firings that soften the glass more will allow Irid or Dichroic coating to crinkle and pucker more, while cooler firings keep them smoother and shinier. Try fusing a textured Irid or Dichroic sheet with the coated side up for a crinkle finish that maintains the pattern of the original texture. Fusing a textured sheet with the Irid side down against a coated kiln shelf or shelf paper results in a matte finish and a crisp textural shape. Beautiful! For a glassy transparent top surface, lay a clear cover sheet over the coated layer before firing.

HOT GLASS STYLES AND TYPICAL USES

Double-Rolled Smooth
This is the smoothest glass we can make with our hand-casting process. Small irregularities and a degree of roughness are evident. These will fuse out during most refiring procedures.

Machine-Rolled Smooth
Our Machine-Rolled Smooth is designed with the glass fuser in mind. Available in clear only, it is the smoothest surfaced glass we can provide. Because of this smoothness, Machine-Rolled is extremely easy to cut, and bubble entrapment between multiple fused layers is minimized. See Specifications for the special sheet sizes of this product.

Granite
The Granite texture is a randomly embossed rough surface resembling stone. The pattern is applied during the sheet-forming process. Although it will melt flat during most refiring procedures, the complex image can be retained by highlighting with powdered Frit prior to firing. The Uroboros fusible iridized coating on Granite will also retain the image of the texture after fusing. This effect is especially striking when fusing iridescent with the textured side down on a smooth surface.

Ripples
This subcategory within textured glass types represents a pinnacle of glass-making craftsmanship. Our two basic styles of ripples are Granite Ripple (rougher and more bunched together than Smooth) and Herringbone Granite Ripple (rough ripples with a zigzag or feathered pattern).

During the sheet-forming process, rotating the roller faster than its own forward travel causes the rippled effect. Imagine a car tire spinning up mud or gravel. The rapidly cooling and solidifying top and bottom surfaces of the sheet are forced to slide over one another using the still-fluid middle layer as a lubricant.

The resulting texture quickly chills enough to permanently retain the ripple pattern.

As with all textures, the ripples will typically melt flat during reuse. Iridized or dicroic coatings, or contrasting-colored powders filling the cavities will all create dramatic effects that survive the fusing (or blowing) process.

Fibroid
This linear texture is made by a pattern on the rolling equipment and is applied to the sheet during the forming process. As with all textures, the Fibroid texture will typically melt flat during reuse. Iridized or dicroic coatings, or contrasting-colored powders filling the cavities will all create strong effects that survive the fusing (or blowing) process.

Radium
A uniform field of raised rounded lenses, each about 1/4" (7mm) in diameter makes up this texture. When used with iridescent or dichroic coatings, the pattern remains dramatically visible even after fusing or blowing. Our Radium adds a distinct look to designs ranging from snakeskin to sushi plates. It's also very attractive when iridized and fused face down onto a smooth surface.

90 COE and System 96 Frit
We produce crushed Frit in five particle sizes ranging from Powder (.13mm to .25mm) to Mosaic (2.5mm to 7.6mm). All Frit is made from glass tested compatible to either the 90 COE or System 96 expansion standards. System 96 is the better expansion fit to most glassblowers' batches, such as "Spruce Pine 87" or "East Bay Special". Typical uses of the powder range from pate de verre to shading on flat or blown forms. Mixtures of large sizes with dark colors in fine or powder provide particularly dramatic effects. In general, larger sizes tend to fill cavities with less bubble entrapment; smaller sizes blend colors with smoother transitions.

90 COE and System 96 Noodles
Our Noodles are named after fettuccini noodles, which they resemble, and for the forming process that rolls and stretches them. They are about 1.5mm thick, 5mm wide and 17.5" in length. Noodles are made entirely from glass tested compatible to either the 90 COE or System 96 expansion standards. System 96 is the better expansion fit to most glassblowers' batches, such as "Spruce Pine 87" or "East Bay Special".

Noodles may be used either singly on sheets or blown forms, or in mass, depending on your design goals. They may be fused together for cutting into Murrini for fusing or blowing components. And, they are convenient for bead making. They provide thin, uniform bands of color unmatched by any other manufacturer! Our Noodles are packed in 5 oz tubes, ready for display or immediate use.

90 COE and System 96 Stringer
Round in cross-section, our Stringer are about 1.5mm thick and 17.5" long. Like our Frit and Noodle products, our Stringer is tested compatible to either the 90 COE or System 96 expansion standards. System 96 is the better expansion fit to most glassblowers' batches, such as "Spruce Pine 87" or "East Bay Special".

Stringer is thin enough to bend in a candle flame, and can be used in myriad ways - from bead work to picking up on blown forms. And they may be mixed with Noodles for exciting optical effects. Stringer is packed in 3oz. tubes.

Casting Billets
These carefully formed "brick" shapes were developed with kiln casting in mind. Made of tested compatible glass, each billet is visually inspected under polarized light prior to packing to insure they are stress and contaminant free.

Casting billets are great for any kind of kiln casting, from open face to lost wax. Many use them also for remelting in crucibles as an economical source of high quality glass for hot pours or glass blowing. And, since they are tested compatible with all our fusing products, they may be kiln cast together with sheet pieces, Frit colors, Noodles or Stringer for fabulous control of color imagery.

Cullet
These are broken or crushed pieces from our tested compatible fusing production runs, so they can be either 90 COE or System 96. Clear is the most commonly available color and we suggest you check with us for current stock on hand.

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2009		 Located in Portland, Oregon, USA (503-284-4900)
FAX (503-284-7584)