Copper red frits and pigments comprising silica and at least one of cupric oxide and cuprous oxide

1. A fired enamel composition that is free of lead, cadmium, bismuth, iron, selenium, arsenic, tantalum, chromium and sulfides, the composition comprising a solids portion comprising a frit portion, wherein the frit portion comprises, prior to firing:

a. 55-75 wt % SiO 2 ,

b. 4-22 wt % R 2 O, wherein R is at least one of Na and K,

c. 2-30 wt % R′O, wherein R′ is at least one of Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba,

d. 0.1-3 wt % Al 2 O 3 , and

e. 1-15 wt % SnO

and at least one of

i. 0.05-1 wt % SO 3 and

ii. 9-17 wt % B 2 O 3 .

2. The composition of claim 1 , wherein R 2 O comprises 8-20 wt % Na 2 O and sufficient K 2 O to bring the total Na 2 O+K 2 O to 9-22 wt %.

3. A method of making a red pigment composition comprising

a. smelting a reducing glass by heating a mixture of compounds, the mixture comprising:

i. 55-75 wt % SiO 2 ,

ii. 4-22 wt % R 2 O, wherein R is at least one of Na and K,

iii. 2-30 wt % R′O, wherein R Ins at least one of Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba,

iv. 0.1-3 wt % Al 2 O 3 , and

v. 1-15 wt % SnO

and at least one of

1. 0.05-1 wt % SO 3 and

2. 9-17 wt % B 2 O 3 ,

b. cooling the glass,

c. reducing the glass to a frit having a desired particle size by mechanical grinding or milling,

d. applying to the glass frit a copper source comprising a copper compound capable of exchanging copper ions with the glass frit, and

e. annealing the glass fit with the copper source to effect exchange of copper ions for ions present in the glass to impart a red color thereto.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the copper source is selected from the group consisting of (a) copper nitrate and (b) copper sulfate, and combinations thereof.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the copper source includes copper sulfate and sodium sulfate.

6. A method of decorating a glass substrate, ceramic substrate or metal substrate comprising:

a. applying to a glass substrate, ceramic substrate or metal substrate an enamel composition that contains less than 5 wt % of each of lead, cadmium, bismuth, iron, selenium, arsenic, tantalum, chromium and sulfides, the composition comprising a solids portion, wherein the solids portion comprises a frit portion, wherein the fit portion consists of, prior to firing:

i. 50-75 wt % SiO 2 ,

ii. 4-22 wt % R 2 O, wherein R is at least one of Na and K,

iii. 2-30 wt % R′O, wherein R′ is at least one of Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba,

iv. 0.5-20 wt % B 2 O 3 ,

v. 0-15 wt % Al 2 O 3 ,

vi. 1-15 wt % SnO, and

vii. 1-10 wt % of at least one of Cu 2 O and CuO, and

b. firing the substrate and enamel composition at a temperature sufficient to flow the enamel composition to cause the enamel composition to at least partially adhere to the substrate.

7. A method of decorating a glass substrate, ceramic substrate or metal substrate by a decal comprising:

a. applying to a decal paper an enamel composition that contains less than 5 wt % of lead, cadmium, bismuth, iron, selenium, arsenic, tantalum, chromium and sulfides, the composition comprising a solids portion, wherein the solids portion comprises a frit portion, wherein the frit portion consists of, prior to firing:

i. 50-75 wt % SiO 2 ,

ii. 4-22 wt % R 2 O, wherein R is at least one of Na and K,

iii. 2-30 wt % R′O, wherein R′ is at least one of Ca and Mg,

iv. 0.5-20 wt % B 2 O 3 ,

v. 0-15 wt % Al 2 O 3 ,

vi. 1-15 wt % SnO, and

vii. 1-10 wt % Cu 2 O,

b. applying a cover coat on the enamel composition to create a decal,

c. applying the decal on the substrate, which could be glass, ceramic or metal, and

d. firing the substrate and decal at a temperature sufficient to flow the enamel composition to cause the enamel composition to at least partially adhere to the substrate.