Cone 6 and cone 06 are two different ceramic glazes that can apply to pottery. They both come in a variety of colors, but the range of colors available for each is slightly different.
Cone 06 glass has more color options than cone 6 glass does, so if you’re looking for something specific, it may be easier to find it in this category.
Cone 6 and cone 06 are available in low fire, mid-fire, and high fire. They can be used on all clay bodies except for very absorbent or low-fire ones such as porcelain or stoneware.
We will also discuss some of the similarities and differences between cone 6 vs cone 06 in this post. Hopefully, this will help you determine whether either a good choice for your project is.
The Similarities Between Cone 06 And Cone 6
One thing that both glazes have in common is that they’re more fluid than many other types of glaze. This can make them difficult to control because they’re more likely to drip unintentionally than, for example, a glaze that’s thick and viscous. Because of this, either is probably not the best choice if you want to apply your glaze with a spray gun or other industrial method.
Differentiating Cone 6 from Cone 06
The primary difference between cone 6 and cone 06 is their melt fluidity. Cone 6 melts at lower temperatures than cone 06 does, so it flows less readily during firing. Thus, it’s more likely to form distinct crystals on the surface of your pottery instead of spreading out unpleasantly like some low-fire glazes do when they don’t have enough flow.
However, the difference in their melt fluidity means that cone 06 is more likely to run while it’s still in its liquid phase. Because of this, it may be necessary to fire some pottery pieces with cone 06 on them at a slightly higher temperature than you would need to for cone 6-ware.
Now you know what the primary differences between these two glazes are! But how do they differ when applied?
Application Differences
The major way that they differ when applied is in their drying time and firing schedule. When fired on earthenware or stoneware clay bodies, Cone 06 dries faster than Cone 6 does, which makes it harder for those glazes to flow into the cracks in the pottery.
Therefore, Cone 6 is often chosen for this type of clay body when it’s desirable to leave plenty of open space on the surface of the pottery that you’re firing. However, with earthenware or stoneware clays, cone 06 fires faster than cone 6 does.
Glaze Differences Between Cone 6 And Cone 06
Cone 6 and cone 06 are both high-fire glazes, but they differ slightly in their thermal expansion. Since they also melt at different temperatures, it means that the contract by different amounts when cooling down during firing.
Both glazes are produced according to the same specifications, so the only difference is that cone 06 melts at a higher temperature. Since cone 6 has a slightly lower rate of thermal expansion, it’s more likely to work with these types of clay bodies.
The Difference in Firing Range
Cone 6 fires to a slightly darker color than cone 06 does. It also has a lower orange-red gloss, which means that it reflects less light/gives off less luster at its glaze surface.
Since they’re both high-fire glazes, the difference in firing range between them isn’t very significant. In fact, if you apply your glaze correctly, you should be able to adjust for these differences without too much trouble.
Although there are some differences between cone 6 vs cone 06, they aren’t particularly major ones from a practical standpoint!
Cost Difference Between Cone 6 And Cone 06
Cone 6 is usually cheaper than cone 06 because it’s easier to fire successfully on kiln shelves that aren’t perfectly flat. Since you need to take more extreme measures with glazes that melt at higher temperatures, their production costs are increased.
Also, there are fewer companies manufacturing this type of glaze than standard ones because its production parameters are stricter. For these reasons, many potters opt for Cone 6 since it’s cheaper and more widely available.
Cone 6 Vs Cone 6 Differences in Color
Cone 6 fires to a slightly lighter color than cone 06 does, although both glazes produce colors that are compatible with gas-burning kilns. Cone 6 has a little less iron oxide in it than cone 06 does, which is the reason for its slightly paler character when fired at standard temperatures.
As far as safety goes, because both types of glaze contain lead compounds, they’re not considered safe to use on children’s toys or dishes where food will be prepared. However, small amounts likely won’t cause serious health problems unless you ingest them regularly over a long period.
Safety of Cone 6 And Cone 06
Both Cone 6 and cone 06 are made according to the same safety specifications, but it’s not recommended that they leave the factory where they’re manufactured if their glaze temperatures are higher than 1220 degrees Celsius.
In addition to their high lead content, these glazes should be used with caution. This leads to health problems in animals if they ingest it regularly over a long period.
Because of its slightly lower melting point, cone 6 will often work better with earthenware or stoneware clays, while cone 06 works better for metals like iron or copper.
It’s also important to note that there are hazards associated with both types of glaze. For example, Cone 6 contains lead, which is toxic to many living organisms if ingested or inhaled.
Tips for Choosing Which to Use on Different Clay Bodies
Cone 6 has a slightly lower firing temperature, so it works better with stoneware and earthenware clays. It also melts at a higher viscosity, which helps to prevent dripping.
Since cone 06 has a higher melting point, it’s compatible with metal clay types like bronze, copper, or iron. It also can be used on porcelain if you fire it according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
If you want to try using cone 06 on earthenware or stoneware clay bodies without risking your glaze boiling over, adjust its thickness first by increasing its water content before adding it onto your pottery.
When you’re picking out high-fire glazes for use on porcelain, choose cone 06 instead of cone 6 because it has a slightly higher melting point.
If you want to use these glazes on earthenware or stoneware clay bodies without risking your glaze boiling over, adjust its thickness first by increasing its water content before adding it onto your pottery.
If you want to test either type of glaze for compatibility with an unfired bisque, spray some onto a fired piece that’s somewhere between Cone 04 and Cone 6.
When choosing which high-fire glaze to use on different clays, keep in mind that they have different firing temperatures. Therefore, if you’re using any one specific type of clay body, use the glaze that’s recommended for it.
Cone 6 is compatible with stoneware and earthenware bodies; conversely, cone 06 has a slightly higher melting point and works better with metal clays like bronze or copper.
Also, keep in mind that both types of high-fire glaze have different viscosities which determine how much they will drip when applied to pottery.
For example, since cone 6 has a lower firing temperature, it has a higher viscosity than cone 06, thus creating fewer dripping effects when applied onto clay bodies.
FAQ’s
Which Clay Should I Use for What Type of Glaze?
You should use Cone 6 with clay bodies that have a composition similar to stoneware or earthenware. Meanwhile, you can use cone 06 with metal clays like bronze or copper.
Is Cone 6 More Toxic Than Other Glazes?
Cone 6 is unique because it’s one of the relatively few types of glaze that are made of lead compounds. As a result, it could be dangerous if you use it regularly over a long period without protection.
How Does Each One Compare Regarding Viscosity When Applied onto Clay Bodies?
Cone 06 has a slightly higher viscosity than cone 6, which means it will drip less when applied on pottery.
Final Thought
Cone 6 and cone 06 are two different high-fire glazes. Cone 6 is compatible with stoneware or earthenware, while cone 06 has a higher melting point that makes it appropriate for metal clays like bronze or copper. As you can see from the input there are many advantages to using either type of glaze, but also some risks associated with each one. If you’re looking for help to choose which type to use on your pottery pieces, let us know!
