High folks,

just returning to jewellery making after a 15 year break, and have found the unleaded enamels bring a few surprises compared to what I have used in the past. In this particular piece (torch fired) I used Thompson 2030 to secure the wires to a copper base. I found what I think is the 2030 bleeding to the top of the wires, particularly the ones bordering with Thompson cream 1208. A small exoeriment shows the clear melting at a lower point than the cream, so it wouls appear I need a hire temp flux.

Would you agree I have it right, and if so I would appreciate suggestions for a different flux, and if not any other ideas as to the problem?

Many thanks

Bruce

2030 is a medium fusing flux and suppose it is possible the it is viscous before the cream mainly due to the metal conducting the heat right along the wires. It is also possible that your application of the cream is thinner in those corners and that what beige is there gets absorbed into the flux.
Try to make sure to heat as evenly as possible. Double check your corners to make sure an appropriate amount of top color enamel is in place. Thompson 2040 is a hard fusing flux which would also work in your application.

Wayne, thanks for your reply, I will try the 2040, keep  an eye on the corners and watch I don't get any excessive flux tending to build-up in those areas. Thinking about it, I guess in small corners etc, as the wires sink in the flux has to go somewhere, and thats up, reducing the available area for the following colours.

Bruce

From looking at your photo, it would seem to me there is not enough Cream 1208 in your corners - and you might have put on too much flux on the first layer- I would also use hard flux on the base -

Thanks Trish for your reply. Since posting I have done more experimenting, and you are right that if you get too heavy a layer of flux to start with it certainly builds up in those corners, particularly as I used .8 x .15mm wires on that particular piece. Also, I do need the higher temp flux, as the cream 1208 has a much higher melting point than the 2030 flux I used.

thanks

Bruce