素材
silver foil
Japanese: 銀箔
A thin layer of silver sandwiched between glass for decorative purposes and to create chemical reactions. It reacts with many types of glass to produce color.
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Silver foil is one of the most reactive decorative materials used in glass fusing. When sealed between layers of glass and fired, silver ions migrate through the glass and undergo a chemical reaction (known as the “silver reaction”) with the components of the adjacent glass, producing unpredictable and complex color changes such as yellow, orange, brown, and black. The Alchemy technique intentionally harnesses this reaction.
Silver foil is made by hammering pure silver into a thin sheet, and commercially available silver foil intended for metalwork can be used directly for fusing. When embedding it, be careful to avoid wrinkles and overlaps, and spread it as evenly as possible. Since thickness can lead to bubbles forming due to gas generation during firing, the key is to apply it as thinly and evenly as possible. Results can vary significantly depending on the amount and size of the silver foil, as well as the combination of adjacent glass pieces, so be sure to perform a test firing.
Related Concepts
By understanding these concepts—copper foil, foil inclusion, silver reaction, and reaction lines—in conjunction, you will gain an understanding of how to predict and control silver foil decoration.
This entry is written in Japanese by Rei Chikaoka and translated for readers outside Japan. If something reads oddly, the original is the source of truth.