The following is reprinted from Laguna?s press release which was obviously written by a Chemist??????

The Degussa line of pigments (CAS-No. 10218409502) consist of Zirconium Silicate incorporating Cadmium Sulphoselenide crystals . If the surface of the glaze is damaged, this coat (of zirconium) will prevent a release of the cadmium pigment. Traditional ceramic cadmium glazes contain Cadmium Sulphoselenide crystals incorporated as a pigment which are on the surface of the ceramic body. If such a glazed surface is damaged, crystals can be released along with cadmium.

The goal of Degussa?s Research and Development Department when developing the inclusion pigments was to minimize the negative appearance of cadmium release. In comparison to the traditional glazes, the inclusion pigment glazes contain considerably less cadmium, namely approximately 0.15% Cd which is approximately 1/30 of the Cd content of traditional Cd glazes.

In the past, stable red stains at high firing temperatures were unknown to the ceramic industry. This gap was bridged by the inclusion pigments which are stable up to a firing temperature of 2372 degrees F and are resistant to unfavorable kiln atmospheres.

By using inclusion pigments in glazes the following additional advantages can be achieved in comparison to the traditional cadmium glazes: 

• Favorable thermal expansion.
• Low sensitivity to contamination during mixing.
• Low influence of contamination by the bisque.
• Possibility of blending with other stains, color oxides, and color frits.
• Compatibility with other glazes.
• Matting possibility with the addition of zinc oxide.
• Non-problematic behavior during processing of glazes.

The red, orange and yellow inclusion pigments can be mixed with other and blended with other colors to make new colors.