Annealing dots

 

"No need to anneal dots assuming they’ll be used in projects."

Because dots are small they anneal in a short time, therefore no need for an anneal *hold*, but still the dots anneal. The larger the dots become – to cabochon size – the more important it is to have a temperature equalisation soak. This is what is usually called the anneal hold.

If the dots didn't anneal, they would break. Also because they are nearly spherical, they can withstand greater amounts of stress than flat glass. Industrial guidelines state that the easiest shape to anneal is a sphere. The next easiest is a cylinder. But the most difficult to anneal is flat slabs. It is even more difficult to anneal glass with uneven thicknesses.

So, annealing is always important, even though for small or thin items a soak is not necessary, because the annealing is achieved during the time the kiln cools. If there are a lot of dots in a small kiln, it may be a good precaution to use a 15minute soak at the annealing temperature.