The item to be enamelled is coated with enamel powder and heated until the enamel melts. On cooling, the item has a solid glassy film on its surface.
Opaque enamels contain opacifiers such as titanium dioxide.
A wide range of colours can be obtained by including metal compounds in the glass - for example, cobalt oxide produces blue enamel and manganese dioxide produces violet. Enamel is also used in a particular form of oil-bound paint , giving a hard, glossy finish. The Macmillan Encyclopedia 2001 3. enamel The Oxford Dictionary of Art 4. All rights reserved.