Lithium Carbonate
Li2CO3 Pure Lithium Source
Chemistry
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Volatiles
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Links to Other Materials
- Lithium Minerals - Related
- Spodumene - Related
- Cache
Hazards
- Lithium Carbonate
Miscellaneous
- Family: Flux Source
- Region: None
- Mined At: Unspecified
- Raw Mineral: No
- Generic: Yes
Notes
Lithium Carbonate is the best source of lithium oxide for glazes. It is slightly soluble. It is unusual to see more than 5% lithium carbonate in glaze. Because of the low expansion of Li2O, high lithium glazes tend to shiver.
There are certain basic properties of lithium which are of interest in ceramics. Since lithium has a very small ionic radius in comparison to the other alkali metals, it has a higher field strength. Low expansion coefficients are generally imparted to ceramic compositions containing lithia. Lithium carbonate is a very strong flux (also true of lithium fluoride). In contrast, other lithium complunds may be quite refractory: lithium zirconate and lithium aluminum spinel are examples.
There is comparatively little published information on the use of lithia compounds in ceramics. Laboratory investigations indicate that small additions of lithium will react with quartz during firing and eliminate the alpha-beta quartz transition in the cooling cycle. Lithia imparts low thermal expansion coefficients to glasses and also promotes devitrifaction in glass systems. Smaller amounts act to smooth the glass surface.
Lithium exhibits many properties that are similar to the more common alkali metals sodium and potassium. In many respects is also shows similarities to the elements of the alkaline earth group, especially magnesium.
In addition to being soluble, lithium carbonate produces gases as it decomposes and these can cause pinholes or blisters in glazes. There are many preferred insoluble lithium frits available and incorporating one of them to source the Li2O instead is a classic application of ceramic chemistry calculations. The resultant glaze will be more fusible and will have better clarity and fewer defects.
Data
- Solubility: 1.3 g/100ml at 20 deg C
Linked Articles
Le LITHIUM en Céramique par Édouard Bastarache
Le LITHIUM en Céramique par Édouard BastaracheLITHIUM in Ceramics by Edouard Bastarache
The toxicity of lithium in ceramics is a hotly debated subject, especially with regards to handling raw lithium carbonate, but also with reference to leaching from glazes.
Suppliers
- FMC Lithium
- Generic
Authors
- Tony Hansen (Owner)
Pictures
-
10% lithium and 4% tin do this to an otherwise transparent dull brown Alberta Slip.
XML
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<material name="Lithium Carbonate" descrip="Li2CO3 Pure Lithium Source" generic="1" rawmineral="0" searchkey="Lith Carb" loi="0.00">
<families>
<family name="Flux Source"/>
</families>
<oxides>
<oxide symbol="Li2O" name="Lithium Oxide, Lithia" status="" percent="40.740" tolerance=""/>
</oxides>
<volatiles>
<volatile symbol="" name="" percent="59.260" tolerance=""/>
</volatiles>
<references>
<reference name="seealso" reason=""/>
<reference name="seealso" reason=""/>
<reference name="seealso" reason=""/>
</references>
<hazards>
<hazard name="Lithium Carbonate"/>
</hazards>
<suppliers>
<supplier name="FMC Lithium" country="" url="http://www.fmclithium.com" label=""/>
<supplier name="Generic" country="" url="" label=""/>
</suppliers>
<notes>
<note>Lithium Carbonate is the best source of lithium oxide for glazes. It is slightly soluble. It is unusual to see more than 5% lithium carbonate in glaze. Because of the low expansion of Li2O, high lithium glazes tend to shiver.
There are certain basic properties of lithium which are of interest in ceramics. Since lithium has a very small ionic radius in comparison to the other alkali metals, it has a higher field strength. Low expansion coefficients are generally imparted to ceramic compositions containing lithia. Lithium carbonate is a very strong flux (also true of lithium fluoride). In contrast, other lithium complunds may be quite refractory: lithium zirconate and lithium aluminum spinel are examples.
There is comparatively little published information on the use of lithia compounds in ceramics. Laboratory investigations indicate that small additions of lithium will react with quartz during firing and eliminate the alpha-beta quartz transition in the cooling cycle. Lithia imparts low thermal expansion coefficients to glasses and also promotes devitrifaction in glass systems. Smaller amounts act to smooth the glass surface.
Lithium exhibits many properties that are similar to the more common alkali metals sodium and potassium. In many respects is also shows similarities to the elements of the alkaline earth group, especially magnesium.
In addition to being soluble, lithium carbonate produces gases as it decomposes and these can cause pinholes or blisters in glazes. There are many preferred insoluble lithium frits available and incorporating one of them to source the Li2O instead is a classic application of ceramic chemistry calculations. The resultant glaze will be more fusible and will have better clarity and fewer defects.</note>
</notes>
<testdata>
<testitem testname="3" value="1.3 g/100ml at 20 deg C"/>
</testdata>
<pictures>
<picture description="10% lithium and 4% tin do this to an otherwise transparent dull brown Alberta Slip." filename="lithiumwithalbertaslip.jpg"/>
</pictures>
</material>
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