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gideon
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Type of Metal Rods/Wire to Use in Pottery Kiln

07/23/2024 3:55 AM

My partner wants to make ceramic (& other) beads and perforated discs in her kiln. It goes up to 1260°C I think, 1300°C tops (2300-2372°F), when doing the glazing. She has a set of ceramic little towers about 15cm apart, and we tried 316 stainless steel welding rods of 1.6mm ∅ to hold the beads & discs, but they sag so much that the discs slide down & touch. I do have some 2mm rods, but I suspect the same problem. Any advice on thinnish rods or sturdy wire (3mm ∅ tops) that will retain some mechanical strength and not corrode too fast under these conditions?
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Pathfinder Tags: High-Temperature kiln pottery
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Randall
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#1

Re: Type of Metal Rods/Wire to Use in Pottery Kiln

07/23/2024 7:25 AM

Do a search for "kiln rods" or "firing rods".

I think they're normally ceramic.

(All my results are in the UK, so, easier to do your own search.)

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BruceFlorida
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#2

Re: Type of Metal Rods/Wire to Use in Pottery Kiln

07/23/2024 8:56 AM

I have never used Inconel myself (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inconel), but it might be worth a read. I know the term from YouTube shows on jet aircraft engines and rocket engines.

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Brave Sir Robin
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#3

Re: Type of Metal Rods/Wire to Use in Pottery Kiln

07/23/2024 2:57 PM

Titanium (~1700 degC) has a higher melting point than Inconel.

https://www.siliconsteelalloys.com/inconel-vs-titanium.html

Here are some 2 mm Ti rods on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Titanium-Length-19-685-6al-4v-2mmx500mm/dp/B0CB7QYRSJ/ref=sr_1_1_sspa

Or shorter pieces at a much cheaper cost per unit length.

https://www.amazon.com/LTKJ-Titanium-Diameter-Length-inches/dp/B07XDGKDKJ/ref=sr_1_3

Good luck with your quest !
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dkwarner
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#5
In reply to #3

Re: Type of Metal Rods/Wire to Use in Pottery Kiln

07/24/2024 2:08 AM

NO! Unless you have a sealed kiln filled with an inert gas, that titanium wire will burn long before it melts! And if it does burn you don't want to look at it; titanium burns with a very intense white flame.

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SolarEagle
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#4

Re: Type of Metal Rods/Wire to Use in Pottery Kiln

07/23/2024 10:11 PM

What you need is Kanthal A-1 wire...

"High Temp Kanthal A-1 Wire can be fired in a kiln, with a melting point of 2730 degrees F. it can be used as a decorative accent on pottery, as loops for kiln fired jewelry, or as support wire for beads or small objects during firing."

https://shop.clay-planet.com/high-temp-kanthal-a-1-wire-for-kilns.aspx

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Nigh
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#6

Re: Type of Metal Rods/Wire to Use in Pottery Kiln

07/24/2024 4:08 AM

As Randall suggests, we use ceramic shelves & stands in high temp ovens. You can buy alumina ceramic rods in 2 or 3 mm diameter, not too expensive if you shop around.

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Deefburger
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#7

Re: Type of Metal Rods/Wire to Use in Pottery Kiln

07/24/2024 10:22 AM

metal rods are fine in a vacuum furnace or a Hydrogen bell jar furnace, but oxidation can be deadly in an air furnace. Moly and other metals can form poisonous oxides that you do not want to breath.

I would highly recommend the alumina rods. Relatively cheap and durable.

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HiTekRedNek
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#8

Re: Type of Metal Rods/Wire to Use in Pottery Kiln

09/10/2025 6:36 AM

Create some supports on the cheap by removing the metal core from spark plugs and keeping the alumina body for supports.

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Deefburger
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#9
In reply to #8

Re: Type of Metal Rods/Wire to Use in Pottery Kiln

09/10/2025 10:17 AM

One problem with that idea is that the spark plugs are glazed and will glue themselves to whatever ceramic they touch when firing. The alumina will not melt but the glazing will.

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Pulpmillguy
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#10

Re: Type of Metal Rods/Wire to Use in Pottery Kiln

09/19/2025 2:59 AM

I work in Pulp and Paper supplying lime kilns and for high temperature applications we used to use 310 stainless steel but now are using 235MA which has quite good high temperature properties.

It is available in all kinds of shapes so you should be able to get small diameter rods no problem.
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