Pottery

Title: Red Wing Sewer Pipe Information
Type: Document
Date: 1912
Source: Minnesota Historical Society

Description: Red Wing Stoneware began making sewer pipe to sell to local communities. This pamphlet described the construction and benefits of using stoneware sewer pipe.

Transcription:

The success of a clay industry is largely dependent on the quality of its clay. Red Wing clay is not a fire-clay An inferior clay for pottery. which will resist heat and not vitrify. Form a glass-like surface. It is a stoneware clay that will thoroughly vitrify and take a perfect glaze. Thin, smooth surface coating. Volumes have been written describing clays. We wish to refer to the following paragraph, page 394, of Heinrich Ries's treatise In-depth written explanation. on Clays, published by Wiley & Sons, New York, Mr. Ries being a recognized authority on clays:

"The cretaceous beds Refers to the geologic time when the clay deposits were formed. are probably the most valuable clay resource of the State, but unfortunately the only important occurrance occupies but a very limited area near Red Wing, where it has been worked for some years to make an excellent grade of stoneware."

Following is the analysis of this Clay:

We find many clays that will vitrify at a maximum heat of 1800 degrees, which is too low to properly salt-glaze Surface finish that prevents salt water from leaking through. the product. It requires 2200 degrees Fahrenheit to apply a salt glaze. This is the stage at which our clay vitifies, and accounts for the perfect glaze on Red Wing pipe.

We wish to add a few words regarding the glaze on sewer pipe. At first thought it might be considered unimportant; but it is of the utmost importance. It is that which closes the pores of a pipe, keeping gases and acids from entering the body. This can be demonstrated by making an unglazed jar of best stoneware clay. Fill it with common salt water. In a short time it will ooze through the jar. Next, salt-glaze the jar. You will then find it will retain the brine Salt water. indefinitely.

We make it our aim to produce a pipe that has a glass-like body and good glaze that will not disintegrate Crumble. when laid in sewer, but last for all time.