batch annealing and the silvered effect disappearing off my beads in the kiln..b

[chocolateteapot]

Hi, well i have annealed a few time in my fusing kiln as i cant afford a bead kiln etc but i am having problems with the silvered effect glass like triton and psyche..they kind of disappear on some of my beads.....A bit annoying as u can imagine. I have been annealing at 490 oC cos my kiln was burnging the beads a bit at 516 oC which my kiln suplier rcommended...i think it burns hotter than it reads. My last batch also had a bit of discoloration on the ivory from looking slightly overcooked..only in places and only some of them
So, Are there any rules that i should be following about batch annealing beads? So i dont discolour or overbake them. I bake for 2 hours as some of my beads are bigger than in inch.
I have a Skutt hotstart pro.
I ramp up over about 3 hours if i remeber correctly and then anneal really slow...it takes over 12 hours from start to finish ( thats the fuser in me)
What am i doing wrong...Its gutting when the silvered look disappears.

Thanks guys
Tracy

[Pat from Canvey]

I think you are probably baking the beads for too long. I anneal in a Paragon SC2 for one hour after putting the last bead in or one hour after the kiln reaches annealing temperature.

[chocolateteapot]

thanks...i batch anneal from cold and they only stay at top for two hours cos i have bigger beads which take longer...but i will try with smaller beads an one hour if u think that will help
x

[Redhotsal]

If you anneal in an oxidising atmosphere inside the kiln you will start to lose the silver effect.
Put a lump of carbon (you can get them from jewellery suppliers) in with your beads. That will absorb the extra oxygen leaving you with a reducing atmosphere which will preserve your reduced glass.

[Dragonfire Glass]

If you anneal in an oxidising atmosphere inside the kiln you will start to lose the silver effect.
Put a lump of carbon (you can get them from jewellery suppliers) in with your beads. That will absorb the extra oxygen leaving you with a reducing atmosphere which will preserve your reduced glass.

Well, I just learnt somehing new! Thanks Sal 

[Lush!]

Oh, that's really interesting, Sal!

If you had say turquoise or copper green beads in at the same time then, would they also be affected by the reducing atmosphere?

[Stacy]

If you anneal in an oxidising atmosphere inside the kiln you will start to lose the silver effect.
Put a lump of carbon (you can get them from jewellery suppliers) in with your beads. That will absorb the extra oxygen leaving you with a reducing atmosphere which will preserve your reduced glass.

Well you truly are a font of all knowledge!!
That's really interesting and definatly something I am going to try!!!

[chocolateteapot]

thanks sal..its me tracy...who u taught....with jane...made a gorgeous beads with silver bumps on it all even and gorgeous...and it came out with the silver completley gone...will have a go with that me lovely..xx

[Mary]

Julie, not sure about annealing, but I've fused with copper green and it went icky grey with reduction. I'm presuming it was the kiln paper "burning" that changed the atmosphere.

[Redhotsal]

Tracy....Chocolate Teapot......uh....should've guessed heheh!
Special Lady - Font of knowledge........ha.....I like it!!!
Jules - I have no idea wot would happen.......