attatching metal to glass, need some help

[metzglass]

what kind of metal works for this? i'v seen soft glass stuff with metal latches and stuff melted into it.. im just not sure if this is legit with pyrex, can it be clean and strong? thanks... metz

[Micah Evans]

from what I have seen copper is compatable...I don't know what else. I know often times I have seen metal glued on. Use the metal piece as a tool to create an impression in the glass and after its annealed glue it in with some optic glue. I really don't know about possible other metals that are compatable, maybe someone welse can chime in on this?

[Bryan]

yea micah is right on about the copper...

[alacrity024]

i hear gold works real good.

[rumplephorskin]

ive seen a ton of metal pokers with glass mrbles on the ends of them. I think most of them were either stainless or tool grade steel but I havent made enough of them myself to write an informative post about the tech nor can i guarantee how long theyll stay together

[Brian Newman]

316 L(low carbon) stainless steel is compatible with Moretti.
Only metal I have ever heard of that is fully compatible with boro is the flakes in disco sparkle, and that is some freaky alloy made with sulphur. I have a 3 page how-to for 304 stainless to boro seals, but it is a very complex procedure that both thins the metal to allow it to flex and then treats it in a "wet" hydrogen flame powered kiln to form a skin on the metal to adhere to. I can photocopy this article and send it to you if you want, though it is probably too complex a procedure to bother with.

[Heat ofthe Meat]

You can try PVC clay...its supposed to work with setting glass things, but I dont know about sealing. Ive never tried it personally

[Islandglass Man]

I guess it depends on what you are going to do with the glass to metal seal.
If you want to make a loop for ear rings you can use .020 nicrome wire just heat the glass to a nice white color and push the twisted loop into the glass. there is so little amount of metal that it will stick.

Platinum will seal to boro very nicely in wire form.

Tungsten will seal with grade glass

Kovar will seal to boro and has been used in high vacuum research for years you also need grade glass for the seal and the kovar has to be grease free and annealed in wet hydrogen. Wire or tubing can be used
If you are old enough to know what a vacuum tube looks like the pins that stick out are kovar.

Stainless steel can also be used but it is the hardest seal to make and delicate.

If you are going to make neon artwork some of these seal could be useful


Bear