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I do some work with a national ceramics circle, and you're right, use of leaded glazes is uncommon and explicitly reserved for non-food-contact pieces. Unless t
by washadjeffmad 5y ago
I do some work with a national ceramics circle, and you're right, use of leaded glazes is uncommon and explicitly reserved for non-food-contact pieces. Unless they do restoration or period-work, it's about as common to see as leaded aviation fuel in a regular car owner's garage or someone reusing acid from a battery.
ASTM D-4236 conforming glazes will contain warning labels that clearly indicate that they are "non-toxic" or "dinnerware safe".
- hamburglar 5y agoI’m sure this is an ignorant question, but what’s the incentive for using leaded glazes at all? Do they perform better?
- deleted 5y ago[deleted]
- stephencanon 5y agoIt performs extremely well; lead glazes can be fired at lower temperatures, produce smoother and glossier finishes with fewer flaws, and prevents crystallization (that's desirable in some glazes, but you don't want it all the time). I'm probably forgetting a few other benefits. Of course, toxicity means that it pretty much isn't used any more, so alternatives have been developed. They're just harder to work with.
- mattchamb 5y agoIt also allows you to produce some colors of glaze that are hard otherwise.
- kevin_thibedeau 5y agoI have some old dinnerware from ca 1950. One plate has a crack halfway through and when used in the microwave the plate gets blazing hot while food stays frozen. It has some form of metallic glaze that makes it act as a slotted disc absorbing all energy. I never use them now on the off chance they're lead glazed.