What would cause an ADVANCER® shelf to crack during a firing?
by Kilnshelf.com | Topics: ADVANCER® Use Limitations, FAQ, Kiln Posts
The vast majority of failures with ADVANCER® shelves can be traced to uneven temperatures across the shelf (thermal gradients) causing thermal shock and shelf failure. This can occur on heat-up or on cool-down for a variety of reasons. Typical problem areas in kilns include the bottom layer of shelves in a car kiln, where the seal between car and kiln is not tight permitting cold air to rush in when the kiln is shut off, using posts that are too massive (see “Do I need special posts for use with ADVANCER shelves?”), direct flame impingement on shelves early in the firing, overly large sight ports permitting cold air to cool off shelf areas unevenly, shelves too close to damper areas causing uneven cool-down of shelves in close proximity to damper. If you have any concerns regarding the use of ADVANCER shelves in your kiln, please call to discuss your particular situation to make sure that ADVANCER is right for you!