Easy way to tell the difference in glass?

[KarenBeth]

I have about a handful of different COE glass that I bought to try from 2 different places. I'm thinking both are bullseye but I'm not sure. Some may be a COE 96 and some might be COE 90. I work mainly in 104 but I'd like to try this other glass but I'm afraid this "handful" of glass may be mixed up. Is there an easy way to see what glass this is? Also, is the annealing schedule the same as 104?

[monarae]

Not sure about the annealing schedule. I think BE is the same as 104 but check their site.

To test compatibility you can pull a stringer of two glasses combined (ribbon better than round) and if they bend when they cool, they are NOT compatible. Put one rod on top of the other, melt, use your small mashers to pull a ribbon stringer, pull straight.

Not the most reliable method, but I've heard it works.

[KarenBeth]

If they bend how? Away from each other?

[monarae]

If they bend how? Away from each other?

They'll melt together, but the incompatibility will cause the stringer to curve instead of stay straight.

[jaci]

BE s not 104.. BE is 90. BIG difference!!!
easy way to tell, if they are factory rods, BE is usually longer in general. If you have pics some people here may be able to identify the colors as well. Other than that If you have a HH torch try melting it. BE takes forever to melt (comparatively) and stays really relatively stiff even when melted.

96 is harder to tell. It is nearly impossible to differentiate between 96 and 104.
You are probably better off making spacers and single colored beads with it, (or using frit with it.)

If you really want there is a thread here somewhere with a compatibility test on it. BASICALLY you lay one on top of another and stretch into a twisty (without twisting) so one lys on top of the other in a thin stringer. it will bend and probably break as it cools because one is expanding/contracting at a different rate (ie coefficient of expansion = COE) I can not remember if it is the higher or lower that bends inward first, but search and you may find the answer. This is a big project for a hand full of glass. I would probably just make single color beads or beads with frit! the great thing about frit is most of it is 96, close to either 104 or 90.. very usable in small amounts.
*make sure that YOU KNOW THE COE OF ONE OF THE RODS so you can compare this.*

[Karen Hardy]

Here's my suggestion.

Make a buttload of spacers.


This is why no glass enters my studio unless
it's labeled ahead of time. Been there, done that,
have the cracked beads to show for it.

[jaci]

DITTO Karen!! I a am OCD to the max when it comes to labeling and storage of my glass!! :lol: