What is “reactive glass”?

Understanding the Magic of Reactive Colors in Fused Glass Art

Reactive colors in fused glass art are like a magician’s secret, adding an element of surprise and intrigue to the creative process. These special compounds have the remarkable ability to interact with one another when exposed to high temperatures in the kiln, resulting in dynamic, unpredictable, and visually stunning effects. In this article, we’ll explore the fascinating world of reactive colors in fused glass art, examining the chemistry behind them and how artists harness their power to create captivating and unique pieces.

What Makes Some Glass Colors Reactive?

Reactive colors contain a category of chemicals used that undergo transformative changes during the firing process. When these compounds are heated to specific temperatures, they interact with other elements present in the glass, causing reactions that produce brilliant, complex, and often unpredictable colors and patterns. Reactive colors can add an element of surprise and creativity to a glass artist’s work, as the final outcome may not always be fully predictable.

Common Reactive Chemicals

Several chemical compounds are commonly used to create reactive effects in fused glass art. These compounds interact with the glass matrix and with each other during firing, leading to diverse variations and textures. Some of the well-known reactive chemicals combinations include:

• Sulfur/Selenium & Copper: 
• Sulfur/Selenium & Silver
• Sulfur/Selenium & Lead
• To get a reaction, both elements in these pairs must be present. When a reactive glass is placed next to a non-reactive glass, nothing happens. In general, sulfur produces warm-colored glass in the yellow-orange-brown range. Copper produces glass in the blue-green range. Lead produces glass in the pink-purple range. That said, when the amount of a reactive chemical is small the color family may not be apparent. Likewise, there are shades within  these color families that do not contain any reactive elements at all. Charts are available that indicate which colors are reactive.

The Magic of the Kiln

The kiln is the stage where the true alchemy of reactive colors unfolds. Fused glass artists carefully plan their projects, considering the placement of reactive elements, the temperature at which the firing occurs, and the firing schedule to harness the full potential of these compounds. The kiln environment, with its controlled temperature and firing duration, allows for the emergence of these mesmerizing reactive effects.

Conclusion

Reactive colors in fused glass art are like the hidden gems that make each piece of glasswork unique. The magic happens within the kiln as these compounds interact and produce mesmerizing patterns, colors, and textures. The beauty of reactive colors lies in their unpredictability, offering artists the opportunity to explore new realms of creativity and produce one-of-a-kind, captivating glass art that captures the imagination of both the artist and the viewer.