Ceramic Cone Temperatures

Pyrometric cones measure heatwork the effect of time and temperature.

Ceramic cone temperatures.

During firing a cone softens and melts as it is heated. The cones often used in sets of three are positioned in a kiln with the wares to be fired and provide a visual indication of when the wares have reached a required state of maturity a combination of time and temperature. Pyrometric cones are used worldwide to monitor ceramic firings where consistent temperature is important to the quality of the final product being fired cones are used both in industry and by ceramic artists alike. Stoneware glaze some decals fire to cone 10.

They are useful in determining when a firing is complete if the kiln provided enough heat if there was a temperature difference in the kiln or if a problem occured during the firing. Cone numbers orton makes cones from cone 022 up to cone 42. Cones used on the kiln shelf bend due to the effects of gravity pulling the tip down. Pyrometric cones will be the first to let you know your ceramic firing is under control or that subtle changes.

Thus pyrometric cones give a temperature equivalent. Please note that the cone chart gives 3 different temperatures for each cone number. Cone 022 is the lowest melting cone and requires the least amount of heat to deform or bend. Ware and glaze types.

As discussed above the equivalent cone temperature depends upon how fast one gets to it. Temperature equivalent chart for orton cones cone 022 14 pyrometric cones have been used to monitor ceramic firings for more than 100 years.