The Occupational Health & Safety Administration devised this system to quickly and easily summarize the levels of risk through various means of exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals.

Material Safety Data Sheets contain more detailed information about any risks posed by chemicals or raw materials, along with handling, cleanup and first aid instructions. Georgies maintains a library of MSDS forms for the materials we sell. To request copies, please contact us by phone, fax or email.

CH301: Alumina Oxide (Al2O3)
Responsible for the matte finish and durability of glaze. Prevents devitrification and adds strength. Insoluble in water and emits at 3550 dgr(F). Addition of too much alumina causes a dry, unfired appearance in glazes.

CH302: Alumina Hydrate (Al2O33H2O)
Primarily used as a kiln wash in salt glazing. In some instances, it's preferred over calcined forms in glaze because of its excellent adhesive qualities and its ability to remain suspended in liquid for long periods.

CH304: Barium Carbonate (TOXIC)
The main source of barium oxide in glazes. Used as a flux and assists in formation of matte finishes and in neutralizing sulfates in clay bodies. Insoluble in water. Added to clay bodies in small amounts to prevent some sulfide discoloration. Toxic in its powder form.

CH305: Bentonite
A very plastic magnesium clay containing colloidal matter, which lends plasticity to a clay body. Not used alone because of high shrinkage, stickiness and swelling tendencies.

CH306: Bone Ash
Dicalcium phosphate is a very important calcium and phosphate source. When added to a clay body like bone china, bone ash adds translucency and lowers the maturing temperature. Also gives a textured finish in lowfire glazes and opacity in highfire glazes.

CH514: Boraq
One of several possible substitutes for Gerstley Borate, though there are no exact matches. Test for your glaze formula and application before putting to extensive use.

CH308: Borax Decahydrate (10m)
A soluble low-temperature flux, lowers the fusion points of glaze and promotes smooth melting. Produces bright colors with oxides. A source of sodium and boric oxide in glazes.

CH309: Boric Acid (B2O3 3H2O)
Used as a flux, increasing gloss and elasticity of glaze. Improves fit between glaze and clay body. Tends to be water-soluble.

CH436: Calcium Nitrate
Calcium Nitrate is an oxidizer, also known as 'Norwegian Saltpeter'. It is used in some pyrotechnic formulations, as a fertilizer, and also yields a deep blue in glazes. Keep in tightly closed containers to prevent absorption of moisture from air.

CH311: Chrome Oxide (Green)
A versatile coloring oxide used in glazes to produce various green tints. Produces blue-green hue when combined with cobalt oxide, or browns with zinc oxide.

CH595: Clay A-3
A clean high-temperature plastic buff stoneware mined in Canada.

CH400: Clay C-Red
A smooth, plastic fireclay with very high iron. This material's fine nature and high iron content make it suitable for terra sigillata.

CH594: Clay Fire Red
A natural, high iron, high-temperature stoneware clay blend of a refractory low plastic red clay, a medium temperature medium plastic red clay and a bentonitic ball clay. Fire Red is slightly sandy with medium plasticity, and stable to cone 12+.

CH518: Clay Newman Red
Newman Red is a red-burning, low-plasticity fireclay with low dry strength. It's useful in plastic and casting bodies to impart red color and has powerful staining abilities.

CH596: Clay Red Earth
A maroon firing, low temperature, smooth and plastic material with exceptional working characteristics and green and fired strength.

CH412: Clay XX Sagger
A fine grained secondary clay which fires to a light cream with 13% shrinkage at cone 10. Considered very effective in salt firing, and it's claimed that it works well in wood firing.

CH312: CMC Powder
Carboxy-Methyl-Cellulose powder is an organic cellulose gum which acts as a thickener, binder and suspending agent.

CH313: Cobalt Carbonate (CoCO3)
Used as a glaze colorant and for decoration. Dry powder color is pink, but produces blues under all conditions. Not quite as concentrated as cobalt oxide, gives softer blues. Finer particle size avoids speckling.

CH314: Cobalt Oxide (CoO)
Produces consistent strong blue tones. Slightly larger particle size, compared to cobalt carb, can induce speckling in glaze.

CH315: Copper Carbonate (CuCO3)
A green and turquoise colorant in oxidation. Can produce blue-greens and copper reds in reduction atmospheres.

CH316: Copper Oxide (Black) (CuO)
Copper oxide is one of the oldest glaze colorants. A strong flux, producing fluid glasses. Doesn't change under normal oxidizing conditions, but may produce copper reds in reduction. Copper carbonate is preferred for many uses.

CH591: Copper Sulfate (CuSO4-5H2O) (TOXIC)
Poisonous blue crystal dissolved in water or alcohol and used to obtain greens and reds in glazes, especially in raku, depending on firing atmosphere and accompanying glaze chemicals. Handle with caution and personal protective equipment.

CH317: Cornwall Stone
Cornish Stone is a type of spar used in clay bodies, giving strength while firing. Also used in engobes for its adhesive power during and after firing. Used in glazes for its low shrinkage and minimal defects.

CH334: Cryolite (Na2AlF6) (TOXIC)
Sodium aluminum fluoride can be used as a source of insoluble soda flux, but fluoride may bubble through glazes, causing pinholing. May be used in small percentages as a flux in low-temperature clay bodies. Gives off poisonous fluoride gas during firing.

CH318: Darvan Dispersal
A liquid used to deflocculate slip of longer casting ranges. Also used as deflocculant in glazes to be applied by spraying. Darvan is the #1 dispersal agent used in the hobby ceramic and porcelain industries.