The first thing to keep in mind when fusing dichroic glass is that the glass must be compatible with all glass used for glass fusion. Glass that doesn't float or window glass is usually amorphous, so best avoided.
Take a look at some glass producers and see their designs. On the other side of the description, you will find that each piece of glass is identified by a COE number which is usually 90 or 104. It is necessary to fuse the glass with the glasses of the same COE, and not cross them. The expansion and shrinking of the glass during the firing process cause the COE to break. To order patterned dichroic glass, visit www.artglasssupplies.com/coe96-cbs-dichroic-patterned-glass
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COE, also known as the coefficient of expansion, is an indicator of the degree of expansion that glass undergoes when heated.
Dichroic glass is available in a clear or black base. Black can be used as an element of the base. Clearly applied over a darker base as the coating will go unnoticed in bright light.
If you are using multiple layers of dichroic glass, you should be aware that the coated sides are not to touch. Be aware that this coating is a metal oxide. The fact that two of these are directly connected is an indication that the glass may not be joined correctly, resulting in broken patterns or distorted glass.
Glass can be used as an inner layer or top layer and left uncoated. If it is kept unglazed, glass takes on a metallic appearance and is extremely resilient to scratches. The coating that has not been stained should be handled with care as prolonged exposure to water can damage the coating and make it extremely vulnerable to scratches.
Glass coating is less brittle than art glass, but it is compatible with most. It is generally advised not to fire above 810 °C but firing above 800 °C is considered risky. The temperature also varies by the furnace. Be careful when using dichroic glass. Overuse can damage the coating as it melts in the incinerator.