Quartz:

Quartz working characteristics are much difficult than that of borosilicate glasses. Quartz will not flow in the same manner as borosilicate glass, so a different approach may have to be taken when attempting certain seals.

·       Use a small diameter rod (1 mm) to seal any holes that may appear in your seal. Attempts at sewing the hole shut with a tungsten pick (as you might with borosilicate glass) do not usually produce satisfactory results.

·       Develop skills in using lathe machine of low RPM (centrifugal force) to form large quartz seals.

·       Proper preparation of the quartz prior to sealing is critical. Prefer  all quartz pieces to the proper dimensions, as disired.

·       Keeping the quartz clean at every step will aid in the aesthetic quality of the finished piece.

·       Be sure that the  quartz seal is heated completely became probably more fabrication seal failures occur from the incomplete heat penetration throughout the seal than any other cause. Boxes made from quartz plate are frequently constructed using two torches by simultaneously heating the inside and outside corners, during the fabrication process.

·       Hydrogen and oxygen gases should be used for most quartz fabrication proposes  though propane and oxygen may also be used on smaller diameters of thin quartz plate. The white haze or bloom seen on quartz surfaces after sealing can be minimized by proper pre-seal preparation. Clean quartz, preheating a large area around the seal, and properly adjusting the flame composition will help to minimize the bloom. Adjust the flame angle to "brush" the quartz bloom end keep the flame away from the main body of your Quartz ware.

·       Baths containing dilute Hydrofluoric acid/Ammonium Bifluoride and other chemicals are commonly used for cleaning quartz and reducing "bloom". EXTREME CARE should be taken and all safety precautions should be taken before attempting any acid wash. Review this process with your safety manual before using it.

Quartz working characteristics are much difficult than that of borosilicate glasses. Quartz will not flow in the same manner as borosilicate glass, so a different approach may have to be taken when attempting certain seals.

·       Use a small diameter rod (1 mm) to seal any holes that may appear in your seal. Attempts at sewing the hole shut with a tungsten pick (as you might with borosilicate glass) do not usually produce satisfactory results.

·       Develop skills in using lathe machine of low RPM (centrifugal force) to form large quartz seals.

·       Proper preparation of the quartz prior to sealing is critical. Prefer  all quartz pieces to the proper dimensions, as disired.

·       Keeping the quartz clean at every step will aid in the aesthetic quality of the finished piece.

·       Be sure that the  quartz seal is heated completely became probably more fabrication seal failures occur from the incomplete heat penetration throughout the seal than any other cause. Boxes made from quartz plate are frequently constructed using two torches by simultaneously heating the inside and outside corners, during the fabrication process.

·       Hydrogen and oxygen gases should be used for most quartz fabrication proposes  though propane and oxygen may also be used on smaller diameters of thin quartz plate. The white haze or bloom seen on quartz surfaces after sealing can be minimized by proper pre-seal preparation. Clean quartz, preheating a large area around the seal, and properly adjusting the flame composition will help to minimize the bloom. Adjust the flame angle to "brush" the quartz bloom end keep the flame away from the main body of your Quartz ware.

·       Baths containing dilute Hydrofluoric acid/Ammonium Bifluoride and other chemicals are commonly used for cleaning quartz and reducing "bloom". EXTREME CARE should be taken and all safety precautions should be taken before attempting any acid wash. Review this process with your safety manual before using it.

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