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I've done cloisonne for a while and decided to try some champleve. I'm experiencing cracking on the enamel on larger areas (about 1" long by 1/8" wide). The smaller areas are fine. I'm using a cut-out pattern in 22ga fine silver soldered onto another 22ga sheet using eutectic solder, so the thickness of the enamel is about 0.025" thick. I realize that there is a limit to how thick one can apply enamel onto metal due to thermal expansion/contraction -- that's why we put counter enamel on the back of cloisonne work. So the question is this: are there any guidelines for how large an area one can fill with enamel for a given thickness wehn doing champleve?
Hi Bill,
When using the Saw and Solder method of Champlevé the gauge of Sterling silver is - 22 gauge silver for the cut out design and 18 gauge bottom sheet - and the size can only go to 2 inches. I have been taught to use HARD Solder and it stands up to several firings. No counter is required on the back if you are using Sterling and you can also attach a bail on the back with easy solder on the last firing. Kristin Anderson is the guru of Saw and Solder Champlevé and taught me and you will find her tutorial information in the Groups section and also a video. She uses Sterling Silver and then depletion guilds with Nitric Acid to bring up the fine silver.
I like to use Fine Silver so I don't have to depletion guild but the Fine Silver is soft . I still use the same required gauge but always counter enamel to strengthen the metal. You can also use 18g. Sterling on the bottom and 22g. fine silver on top - remember to use clear flux for the first coat.
Hope this helps,
Trish
Thanks for the prompt reply and the mention of Kristin's video. I found it and will watch it.