Sb2O3 (Antimony Oxide)

Family:Other
Weight:291.600
Expansion:0.000
Fusion:630C

(Sources: Antimony Oxide, Antimony Sulfide)

-Antimony oxide is used as an opacifier in low fire glazes and porcelain enamel (mainly leadless but it has been replaced to an extent by titania). Antimony is easily reducible; thus an oxidizing agent like potassium nitrate may be required to prevent it from going into solution and losing its opacifying power and affecting color.

-It is not useful in glazes over cone 1 due to volatilization.

-Antimony can be used as a yellow body stain in combination with rutile or titanium.

-Antimony will bleach the surface of low fire red-burning clay to a buff color to produce variegated coloration.

-The glass industry uses antimony as a decolorizing and fining agent to clarify glasses and as a stabilizing agent in the production of emerald green glass.

-Antimony has a low thermal expansion and reduces crazing.

Properties

  • Glaze Color - Yellow

    It can give a yellowish color if the glaze contains lead, this is a result of the precipitation of yellow lead antimonate (known as Naples yellow).
  • Glaze Opacifier - White

    Antimony works to a limited extent as an opacifier to cone 1.

Authors

  • Tony Hansen (Owner)



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