Triaxial Blend: How to Test Three Glaze Materials at Once

A triaxial blend is one of the most powerful glaze testing methods available to studio potters. Where a line blend tests two variables, a triaxial blend tests three simultaneously — letting you map an entire field of glaze possibilities in a single, systematic test. If you want to understand how silica, alumina, and flux interact, or how three colorants combine, a triaxial blend is the tool for the job.

What is a Triaxial Blend?

A triaxial blend is a grid of test tiles that shows every possible combination of three materials — A, B, and C — across a defined range. Each corner of the triangle represents 100% of one material. The center represents equal proportions of all three. Every point in between represents a specific ratio of A, B, and C that adds up to 100%.

Think of it as three line blends combined: AB, BC, and AC, plus all the proportions in between. The result is a visual map of how the three materials interact across the full range of possibilities.

When to Use a Triaxial Blend

• Testing three glaze materials — such as silica, whiting, and feldspar — to find the ideal balance for a matte, satin, or glossy surface
• Exploring colorant combinations — such as iron oxide, cobalt oxide, and rutile — to map the full range of colors produced by their interactions
• Developing a new base glaze — systematically exploring how flux, glass former, and stabilizer ratios affect surface quality
• Troubleshooting an existing glaze — finding where adjustments to key materials improve results

How to Set Up a Triaxial Blend

Choose Your Scale

Triaxial blends come in different sizes depending on how many test points you want. Common sizes are:

• 6-point — just the corners and midpoints, minimal tiles, quick overview
• 10-point — good balance of coverage and workload, recommended for most studio testing
• 15-point — more detail, better for fine-tuning colorant combinations
• 21 or 28-point — comprehensive but time-intensive, best for publishing results or deep research

Calculate Your Proportions

For a 10-point triaxial blend, each material is measured in increments of 1/3 (approximately 33%). Here’s the proportion grid for a 10-point test:

Mix and Apply

Weigh out each combination separately, mix thoroughly, and apply to your test tiles. Label each tile clearly with the proportions — you’ll thank yourself when the kiln opens. Apply at consistent thickness and fire on a tile that matches your typical work.

Reading Your Results

Once fired, lay your tiles out in the triangular grid arrangement. Patterns will emerge — areas of the triangle that produce glossy surfaces, matte areas, color shifts, and surface textures. The visual map tells you not just which tile you like, but which direction to move in future tests to refine the result further.

For a simpler starting point, see our guide on line blends. For an overview of glaze testing methods, visit Colorants and Glaze Testing.

Kevin

I am a visually impaired ceramic artist. I have been making for around 8 years now. I specialize in functional colorful pottery. Mainly nerikome and other decorative processes.

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