New York State College of Ceramics: Studio Resource

Material Research


Current Research Projects

“Volcanic Pumice and Clay Body Formulation” .pdf of lecture presented at 59th NCECA Conference, “Formation” Salt Lake City, Utah, March 27th 2025. A digital model of fusion/flow tester used is available under ‘Digital Models” at bottom of page.

Visual Resources

Cushing’s Handbook Visual Companions

These documents below share images of test tiles made from all of the glaze recipes offered in Cushing’s Handbook.

Additional research on Val Cushing can be seen in the Artifacts of his Studio Practice.

Cushing's Handbook - Cone 10 Glazes

Cushing Handbook - A Compilation of Papers Concerning Glazes, Glaze Calculation & Formulation, Clay Bodies, Slip and Glaze Formulas, Firing, Pottery Making
Tips and Other Useful Information, 3rd edition - is available through Alfred Ceramic Art Museum here

Low Fire Glazes from the Collection of Andrea Gill

This document shares recipes and images of test tiles for low fire glazes. All of the glaze recipes were compiled by Andrea Gill during her tenure at Alfred University. Document created in 2021.

Low Fire Glazes From Andrea Gill

oxide strength.jpg


Excel Calculators  

Quartz Calculator Calculates the quartz remaining after firing: Created by Bill Carty

UMF/Line Blend Generator is a template for line blends between two components: Created by Anton Reijnders 

Quadraxial Blend Generator helps you create quadraxial blends between four components : Created by Anton Reijnders

Percentage to UMF translator aids in the conversion between percentage to UMF: Created by Anton Reijnders

Plaster Calculator calculates water and plaster needed for casting plaster.


Anton Reijnders WPF (Weight Percentage Formulation)

In the fall of 2019, as a visiting professor at Alfred University, Anton Reijnders introduced an alternative method of glaze formulation and graphing system that he calls Weight Percentage Formulation. Perhaps the most novel component of this system is a proposed value for Total Fluxes and a set of proposed limits that allows the formulation of glazes for specific firing temperatures.

Weight Percentage Formula Slideshow introduces the method of calculating glazes based on weight percentages vs the molecular formula: Created by Anton Reijnders

Recipe to WPF excel calculator

WPF to Recipe excel calculator


Digital Models

Dry Crack Resistance Mold .stl 3D systems model of a dry crack resistance mold from The Ceramic Process

Fusion/Flow Tester .stl 3D model of flow tester used for material testing, can be used to create slip casting mold.